Opposition grows to Wellingborough cottage hospital demolition

Southwood House was built in 1900 as a cottage hospital

Opposition is growing to plans to demolish an old cottage hospital and replace it with an apartment block.

Sanctuary Housing, which owns Southwood House in Wellingborough, Northamptonshire, says the existing building is no longer fit for purpose.

It was most recently used as a residential care home, but the last resident moved out a year ago.

Campaigners say the building should be listed and used as a public health facility.

Wellingborough Cottage Hospital is believed to have opened in 1900 in Doddington Road, and a contemporary publication records that it "occupies a commanding site and has ample grounds surrounding it".

It was "well calculated to [supply] hospital accommodation to a number of poor persons who formerly had to travel many miles by railway to secure these advantages", the publication added.

The Wellingborough Carnival was set up to raise money for it, and it operated until the 1960s.

The old hospital consists of a central building with smaller buildings built onto the sides

It then became a residential care home, but Sanctuary Housing said the building had deteriorated.

In their planning application, they said: "The apartments on the first floor of the building have been closed for some time following a recommendation by the Care Quality Commission on the basis that the existing staircases and corridors are too narrow, preventing adequate access for those with mobility issues."

Sanctuary Housing decided to move all the remaining residents out and apply to demolish the old hospital.

About 30 people have so far formally objected to the plan, saying that "we need to keep our town's heritage sites or soon there will be no history left" and "it is morally wrong to want to even consider demolishing this building".

Some have suggested turning it into a minor injuries unit, or an out-of hours surgery.

In the planning application, Sanctuary Housing said the building was not listed an was not in a conservation area.

They added that they wanted to "provide a more worthwhile and beneficial use on the site" by creating an apartment block of 26 units for the over-55s.

It is not known when a decision will be made on the application.