Firm is appointed to start building 700 homes at former hospital site
THE developer appointed to transform the former Kingsway Hospital site into 700 homes and a business park has been announced.
Kier Partnership Homes has been chosen by the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) and Derby City Council to take on the 10-year project.
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Mike Dowling, of Connell Brothers, on the site. His company is completing the demolition.
And work is expected to start this autumn.
The plans include 700 low-cost homes, which will be available for sale or rent, and a business park, which is expected to provide 450 jobs.
During the construction period, Kier will be creating jobs and offering training opportunities.
Graham Dobbs, head of Midlands North for the HCA, said: "We know through working closely with Derby City Council that Manor Kingsway is a local priority, not least because the derelict buildings have been an eyesore for the communities around the site but also because of its potential as a mixed-use development, which will create jobs, homes and businesses and boost local economic growth."
Kingsway Hospital was built as a Victorian lunatic asylum and later provided mental health services.
But demolition began at the site last February and the final stages are currently being completed by Connell Brothers Ltd, a demolition company from Salford, to make room for the new development.
Patients were moved into a modern development on the same site, built in July 2009 as part of an eight-year project.
Kier, along with HCA, Derby City Council and other healthcare providers, including the East Midlands Ambulance Service, which currently works from the site, are working together to minimise disruption to patients being treated there.
The proposals outlined by Kier are contemporary in design but the company said they were simple enough to be in keeping with Derby's historic architecture.
Kier managing director Chris King said the company was delighted to have been chosen.
He said: "Working closely with our partners, we aim to create a vibrant and sustainable community-centred new neighbourhood, which will enhance the lives of the residents and visitors alike.
"We are very keen to encourage economic, environmental and social sustainability.
"And the enhancement of the green infrastructure, including maximising its improvement as a recreation, amenity and biodiversity resource, will create opportunities for employment linked to leisure, commercial and retail uses too."
4 Comments
by Rob09
Tuesday, January 31 2012, 11:17PM
“dedlocks-if you're going to throw accusations about, at least make sure they are accurate. Cygnet was not built illegally. It has been built in accordance with their planning permission. The fact that the City Council did not stick an advert in the DT does not make it illegal.”
by mrparkin123
Tuesday, January 31 2012, 8:20PM
“just get them built and shut the F*** up”
by dedlocks
Tuesday, January 31 2012, 5:44PM
“This land that should have been used by Cygnet to build their private secure psychiatric unit (funded by the NHS) instead of building it illegally in the middle of a residential area , but of course the land would fetch much more cash if sold for new build private housing. Robin Wood and his merry planning men again.”
by DerbyFoE
Tuesday, January 31 2012, 8:45AM
“Bit of history - This is the land which the City Council stated - inthe 1996 City of Derby Local Plan would be turned into a City Park - thereby increasing our Open Space standards allocations (which are abysmal in some areas of Derby)
Derby and South Derbyshire Friends of the Earth”