Fair Mile Hospital, Oxfordshire
Background
Fair Mile Hospital contains a number of Grade II listed buildings and is included on the Register of Parks and Gardens of Special Historic Interest. English Partnerships plans to turn the site into a flagship development by combining heritage with regeneration - incorporating the highest design and quality standards of new build homes while at the same preserving the historical significance of the listed buildings and grounds.
The majority of buildings on the Fair Mile Hospital site are red brick and the main hospital buildings, lodge house and chapel, built in 1870, are listed Grade II.
In October 2006, Linden Homes was selected as the preferred developer to regenerate the site by a panel including representatives from English Partnerships and English Heritage. The developer 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. Undeveloped land, which is either of historic interest or lies between the buildings and the river Thames, will also be retained as public space.
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, English Partnerships intends to use the site to help first-time buyers get on to the property ladder in an area of high demand.
Development at Fair Mile Hospital will meet all of English Partnerships’ design and quality standards for new build homes, including a minimum EcoHomes rating of “very good,” “Secured by Design” and “Lifetime Homes.”
The Agency will also 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.
Current status
English Partnerships and Linden Homes will jointly prepare a masterplan and consult local people through a series of community events. A planning application will be submitted to South Oxfordshire District Council next year.