English Partnerships (EP) is inviting developers to bid for the regeneration of the 147-acre former Whittingham Hospital site near Preston, Lancashire.
Whittingham is one of the 96 former NHS hospital sites transferred to EP earlier this year following a deal between the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (ODPM) and the Department for Health.
The site is situated just outside Preston on the edge of Goosnargh village, and contains two derelict buildings.
The selected developer will be responsible for preparing a new masterplan for the site and achieving planning consent.
Outline planning permission for up to 584 residential units, almost 200,000 sq ft of industrial/office space and a new primary school.
It is expected that a new by-pass will be construction from J1 of the M55 to the north of Broughton Village
Paul Spooner, EP’s regional director for the North West and West Midlands, said:
“EP makes sure any development we bring forward sets the highest standards in terms of design, layout and materials.
“We’re looking for a developer or developers with the flair and imagination to respond to this exceptional opportunity and work with us to deliver an exemplar development at the Whittingham site.
“The site is vast and the successful party will need experience and resources, as well as a strong sense of vision, to deliver an exemplar development with commitment to quality design and environment sustainability.”
He added: “The transfer of the hospital sites portfolio demonstrates significant progress across government in ensuring the best use is made of the country’s supply of surplus public sector land.”
The site is one of six in the North West earmarked for disposal.
The whole hospital site portfolio amounts to almost 4,000 acres, and could provide up to 14,000 new homes across the country.
References: EGi News 19/12/05
