Plans for a 354-home regeneration scheme on the site of the derelict Fairmile Hospital site in Cholsey, Oxfordshire, have been approved by South Oxfordshire District Council (SODC).
The Homes and Communities Agency (HCA), Linden Homes and Thomas Homes, will redevelop the Victorian hospital site a “sustainable and vibrant community” for the wider Cholsey area.
The scheme comprises 354 homes including refurbished houses and apartments within the retained Grade II hospital buildings, and new homes in part of the surrounding grounds to support the restoration of the listed buildings.
There will also be a good mix of commercial, community and leisure facilities as well as the landscaped grounds will be accessible to the wider public.
Around 30% will be affordable, offering a mix of social rented and shared-ownership schemes. An enhanced bus service will also serve the site.
Jodee Katalanos, area manager at the HCA, said: “This is great news for Oxfordshire and an important step in retaining and enhancing beautiful buildings and integrating this new sustainable development into the vibrant community of Cholsey.”
Work is planned to start on site in the late summer, with completion of the development planned for 2014. The first homes will be available for occupation in spring 2011.
The Fair Mile site forms part of the Hospital Sites Programme being run by the HCA to bring 96 former hospital sites back into productive use. Nationally the programme aims to deliver up to 14,000 new homes, including properties for first-time buyers.
Fair Mile Hospital was originally built in 1870 and the main hospital buildings, lodge house and chapel are Grade II listed. The Hospital closed in 2003.
