Plans unveiled for demolition of Ramsbottom's former cottage hospital

10:00pm Monday 21st January 2013 in News Photograph of the Author By Peter Magill, Chief reporter

The cottage hospital The cottage hospital

PLANS which could see the demolition of a cottage hospital with a 110-year history are set to be unveiled.

Around 13 homes are expected to be constructed if the old Ramsbottom Cottage Hospital, in Nuttall Lane, is razed.

But a local councillor has already voiced concern over the potential redevelopment of the property, which ceased providing medical services in May 2008.

And Coun Ian Bevan is at loggerheads with NHS bosses amid claims that neighbours have not been kept informed about the future of the site.

Coun Bevan said: “I am concerned that there has been no consultation on this sale and that Ramsbottom Cottage Hospital – a part of the town’s heritage – is now under threat of demolition.

“Traffic issues are of course a problem on Nuttall Lane but it is not thought likely that it will add many vehicles to the road. Traffic would be an issue, no matter what was developed on the site.

“The developers are getting the site ready – they are removing a considerable amount of trees.

“None of these are protected by a tree protection order. However it means residents with houses along the perimeter of the site will see loss of tree cover and will experience some disruption.”

Residents have also raised concerns about the existence of a covenant for the site, supposedly restricting its use solely as a cottage hospital.

But this has been dismissed by NHS Bury, which became responsible for the site after it was transferred to the health trust from the Pennine Acute trust.

An NHS Bury spokesman said: “The site has been closed for a number of years as it did not meet modern healthcare expectations.

“Redevelopment of the site was explored but this was not possible, and therefore a decision to sell the site was made.

“NHS Bury has agreed to a conditional sale of the Ramsbottom Cottage Hospital site. The plans are fully in accordance with a covenant on the site, and the sale is dependant on the proposed purchaser gaining planning consent.

“We have actively made efforts to keep the local community informed of plans for the site via their elected representatives.”

Comments (3)

9:43am Tue 22 Jan 13

hi everyone says...

that's right complain about a building that is simply left to rot and will become a eyesore rather the pull it down and build much needed houses more do gooders
that's right complain about a building that is simply left to rot and will become a eyesore rather the pull it down and build much needed houses more do gooders hi everyone

3:20pm Wed 23 Jan 13

Bloke11 says...

Building 13 detached houses, no doubt at least £350,00 each is not going to help the local residents housing needs. We need affordable housing. Converting the Hospital in to affordable flats would both keep the historical building and accommodate more families.
Building 13 detached houses, no doubt at least £350,00 each is not going to help the local residents housing needs. We need affordable housing. Converting the Hospital in to affordable flats would both keep the historical building and accommodate more families. Bloke11

3:23pm Wed 23 Jan 13

Bloke11 says...

Bloke11 wrote:
Building 13 detached houses, no doubt at least £350,00 each is not going to help the local residents housing needs. We need affordable housing. Converting the Hospital in to affordable flats would both keep the historical building and accommodate more families.
£350,000
[quote][p][bold]Bloke11[/bold] wrote: Building 13 detached houses, no doubt at least £350,00 each is not going to help the local residents housing needs. We need affordable housing. Converting the Hospital in to affordable flats would both keep the historical building and accommodate more families.[/p][/quote]£350,000 Bloke11

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