Planning permission has been granted for a major housing development on the 40 ha site of the derelict Fair Mile Hospital site in Cholsey, Oxfordshire.
South Oxfordshire District Council approved the plans, submitted by the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA), developer Linden Homes, part of the Galliford Try Group, and Thomas Homes.
The project aims to transform the hospital site, regenerating the Grade II listed buildings, and building 353 new homes comprising refurbished apartments within the retained hospital buildings and new houses and apartments in the surrounding grounds.
The new homes will achieve Sustainable Homes Code Level 3 rating and 30% will be affordable, offering a mix of social rented and shared-ownership schemes.
The development will also feature a mix of commercial, community and leisure facilities.
Fair Mile Hospital was originally built in 1870 and the main hospital buildings, lodge house and chapel are Grade II listed. The hospital closed in 2003.
The Fair Mile site forms part of the Hospital Sites Programme being run by the HCA to bring 96 former hospital sites back into productive use. Nationally the programme aims to deliver up to 14,000 new homes, including properties for first-time buyers.
Construction work will start on site later in the summer, with the first homes completed by spring 2011. The development is planned to be completed by 2014.
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