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Fair Mile Hospital, Oxfordshire
English Partnerships plans to turn the Fair Mile Hospital site into a flagship development by combining heritage with regeneration - incorporating the highest design and quality standards of new build homes while preserving the historical significance of the listed buildings and grounds.
Historic interest
Fair Mile Hospital is included on the Register of Parks and Gardens of Special Historic Interest. The majority of buildings on the site are red brick and the main hospital buildings, lodge house and chapel, built in 1870, are listed Grade II.
Undeveloped land, which is either of historic interest or lies between the buildings and the river Thames, will be retained as public space.
Quality standards
Linden Homes was contracted as the developer to regenerate the site in March 2007 by a panel including representatives from English Partnerships and English Heritage.
Linden Homes will ensure the restoration and conversion of the historic buildings while meeting English Partnerships’ national standards that cover design quality, construction efficiency and a commitment to community engagement. Quality standards for the development will include a minimum EcoHomes rating of “very good,” “Secured by Design” and “Lifetime Homes.”
New homes
English Partnerships will be working with Linden Homes to provide commercial, community and leisure facilities to create a mixed-use, sustainable neighbourhood that integrates with the existing community in Cholsey.
The site has the potential to provide a significant number of the new homes required for the area, and the final numbers will be decided as part of the planning process. In total, 40 per cent of the homes will be classed as affordable, offering a mixture of social rented and shared-ownership.
As well as delivering affordable homes, we intend to use the site to help first-time buyers get on to the property ladder in an area of high demand.
Planning application
English Partnerships and Linden Homes have jointly prepared a planning submission for 341 homes, some refurbished units within the listed buildings and some new build.
We will continue to consult with the local authority and the local community through a series of public consultations.
A planning application will be submitted to South Oxfordshire District Council in summer 2008.
