Redevelopment of former psychiatric hospital set to move forward

Plans to redevelop a grade I-listed former psychiatric hospital in York for an extra-care residential look set to take a significant step forward next week (2 February 2023).Bootham Park Hospital was completed in 1777 and operated as a psychiatric hospital until its closure in 2017. The main building is grade I-listed.Enterprise Retirement Living Ltd and NHS Property Services Ltd submitted full planning and listed building applications to City of York Council for the 17.87-acre hospital site.Planning permission is sought for the change of use and renovation of the grade I-listed building, the demolition of the grade II-listed Pauper Wings and unlisted estate cottages, and construction of new buildings.The proposed extra-care residential community would provide 172 residential units and offer 24-hour care.The plans include entail residential accommodation and amenities, including communal and health and well-being facilities; associated ancillary spaces; café with public access and the associated landscaping of the site.The grade II-listed Chapel building, which remains in use as offices by the NHS, does not form part of the plans.It has been estimated that, when operational, the development would create 70 jobs, together with roles during construction.The applications will go before the council’s planning committee A on 2 February 2023. A planning officers report prepared for the meeting recommends that approval is granted, subject to conditions and referral to the secretary of state.The report said: “This is a large and complex site which requires a new use. The scheme has been robustly informed by heritage appraisals that provide an understanding of significance of the heritage assets affected and on balance allow for redevelopment whilst avoiding harm on areas of highest significance.”The public benefits of the proposed new uses for the site also weigh in favour of the scheme as does the enhancement of the existing landscape in terms of its recreational value and provision of public access.”The council considered the viability of bringing the site back into use, and held a public consultation, in 2019. However, the project was not progressed and the NHS agreed sale of the site to the applicants in 2020.The project team includes Tetlow King Planning, Bowman Riley, Purcell, Surface Property, Enterprise Retirement Living Ltd, TRC Companies, Elliot Wood, Long and Partners Ltd, Renewable Energy Services, Greenwillows Associates, Met GEO, JB Archaeology Ltd and Royal Pilgrim Communication.