Developers of the Bootham Park Hospital site in York are expected to plough nearly £2 million into public parts of the site while it is being developed.
Retirement community developer Enterprise Retirement Living (ERL) wants to build a £75 million 170-home retirement complex on Bootham Park, which is home to one of the first purpose-built mental health hospitals in the UK.
Public access to the grounds would also be secured under plans to be considered by the council’s executive next week.
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The main hospital building, which opened in 1777, is Grade I-listed, while the 7.2 hectare site also includes a number of Grade II-listed buildings and features.
It closed as a psychiatric hospital in September 2015 after the Care Quality Commission raised serious concerns over safety risks.
There was an outcry in 2019 when the Department of Health and Social Care said it would be sold.
The council leader in 2018 wanted to buy the site to try to put it to public use and York Central MP Rachael Maskell said earlier this year that the current plans may turn out to be a “missed opportunity” for the city.
But a council report states that “good progress” has been made in securing investment into the public realm at Bootham Park.
Open for public use
Up to £1.9m will be invested in parkland, sports pitches, pedestrian and cycle paths and restoration of original railings at no cost to the public purse.
The majority of the open parkland in front of the hospital will be available for public use at all times.
But use of a new 11-a-side and seven-a-side football pitch will be limited during the school day and during term time.
Bootham School, a private Quaker school, will be committed to offering weekly access for PE lessons to local state schools who are the most deprived of access to playing fields including Park Grove Primary, Haxby Road Primary, St Wilfrid’s Primary and Clifton Green Primary.
They will also maintain the lawns at no expense to the council.
The complex would also feature a wellness centre, dining room, fruit and vegetable garden, a cinema room, a hobby room, games room, a library and lounges, an exercise studio, staff and guest accommodation, as well as a bistro which ERL has said will be open to the public.
Real importance
Final agreement on the whole scheme is subject to ERL being granted planning permission for the site by the council.
Councillor Keith Aspden, Leader of City of York Council, said: “I would like to thank everyone who has taken the time to make their views heard throughout this project, public engagement has really helped to identify and secure the significant public benefits of the scheme.
“We know Bootham Park is of real importance to the local community and wider city which is why we have worked so hard with partners to respect its heritage and ensure it plays a key role in the city, including with public access and community facilities, for many years to come.
He added: “Despite not owning the site, the council has worked together with local health partners to engage residents and lobby the government to influence its future development. Strong partnership working and a proactive approach to engagement has helped bring about these positive outcomes.”