Former hospital site up for sale
The former War Memorial Hospital in Chipping Norton
PLANS to turn a disused hospital in Chipping Norton into housing have
re-awakened fears for the future of a number of the town’s most historic
buildings.
The site of the
former War Memorial Hospital on Spring Street, which dates from the First World
War and belongs to the Oxfordshire Primary Care Trust, has lain empty since the
hospital transferred to a new site on Londn Road some three years ago.
But at a meeting of Chipping Norton Town Council on Monday, (August 20), it was reported the site was in the process of being purchased by developers St Charles Homes with plans to transform it into 14 homes.
West Oxfordshire District councillor Rob Evans expressed fears that a sale could mean the opportunity to utilise the hospital site, along with the former ambulance station, the historic Chestnuts building and the former Castle View Care home – all currently owned by Oxfordshire County Council and lying empty along Spring Street and the Over Norton Road –may have be lost.
He said: “There’s a lot of sentiment about the hospital building because it’s a post First World War construction and the town raised funds for it.
“It would be a shame to lose it to housing. A lot of residents remember having children or were born there.
He added: “They’re missing a golden opportunity to see all these sites together. Determining them together is the only way to get sufficient community gain to meet the future needs of the town.
“We’re desperate for a new library and have been for many years. It might also be possible to use the sites for a Tourist InformationCentre, for the town’s museum or for parking or some form of retail.
Oxfordshire County Council spokesman Martin Crabtree confirmed the council’s intention to put Castle View, Chestnuts and former ambulance station sites up for sale. He said: “Information for potential buyers on what development the sites would be suitable for will be available to potential buyers when they are placed on the market.”
St Charles Homes would not comment on any plans for the hospital site, but PCT spokesperson Rachel McQuilliam confirmed the former hospital site is currently on the market.
But at a meeting of Chipping Norton Town Council on Monday, (August 20), it was reported the site was in the process of being purchased by developers St Charles Homes with plans to transform it into 14 homes.
West Oxfordshire District councillor Rob Evans expressed fears that a sale could mean the opportunity to utilise the hospital site, along with the former ambulance station, the historic Chestnuts building and the former Castle View Care home – all currently owned by Oxfordshire County Council and lying empty along Spring Street and the Over Norton Road –may have be lost.
He said: “There’s a lot of sentiment about the hospital building because it’s a post First World War construction and the town raised funds for it.
“It would be a shame to lose it to housing. A lot of residents remember having children or were born there.
He added: “They’re missing a golden opportunity to see all these sites together. Determining them together is the only way to get sufficient community gain to meet the future needs of the town.
“We’re desperate for a new library and have been for many years. It might also be possible to use the sites for a Tourist InformationCentre, for the town’s museum or for parking or some form of retail.
Oxfordshire County Council spokesman Martin Crabtree confirmed the council’s intention to put Castle View, Chestnuts and former ambulance station sites up for sale. He said: “Information for potential buyers on what development the sites would be suitable for will be available to potential buyers when they are placed on the market.”
St Charles Homes would not comment on any plans for the hospital site, but PCT spokesperson Rachel McQuilliam confirmed the former hospital site is currently on the market.
