Plans to convert an historic York psychiatric hospital into 120 homes are set to go before councillors.
PJ Livesey Holding Ltd’s application would see The Retreat, in Heslington Road, converted and new homes built in its grounds.
Plans stated the applicants had a successful track record in converting historic buildings, including former hospitals.
But objections have been made claiming the development will add to congestion from University of York traffic between Green Dykes Lane and Hull Road.
The plans are set to go before City of York Council’s planning committee next Thursday (1 August).
Approval would see The Retreat brought back into use since it closed in 2018.
Quakers opened it as a hospital for the mentally ill 1796.
Its humane approach to treatment made it one of the most influential institutions of its kind at the time, according to its Historic England listing entry.
Meadow plan for pitches
The plans would see a mix of one to five bedroom apartments and homes built across the former hospital estate.
The main block would be converted to house 84 apartments, with 20 new homes built in the north east of the site.
The rest of the homes are set to be in other historic buildings across the site, including in its Gentlemen’s Lodge, Bath Housen Nurses’ Hostel and West and East Villas.
A recreation hall built in 1907 is set to have its historic features restored and it would be available for communal and community use.
Onsite bowling greens, tennis courts and a cricket pitch could be turned into meadows.
It would depend on the outcome of talks between the applicant and local sports clubs about potentially restoring them and turning them over for their use.
Later extensions to the main block are set to be demolished as part of the redevelopment.
Congestion concerns
Plans also include 220 onsite parking spaces, including 30 for visitors, excluding garages.
Public access would be maintained through parts of the site.
Five public comments have been lodged about the plans, including the concerns about congestion but council highways officers have not raised any objections.
Council planning officers have recommended that the plans are approved.
They would have to be referred to the Government for a final sign off due to a Sport England objection over the potential loss of the cricket pitch.
Plans stated: “The designs for conversion have been developed to retain as much of the historic fabric as possible, thus maintaining the character and the appearance of such an important group of significant buildings.”