Anger as NHS reveal housing plans for Westbury hospital site

LOCAL residents have voiced their upset as the NHS reveals plans to have the former Westbury Community Hospital site used for housing.

Campaigners fought a long battle to stop the hospital closing in 2012 and now they say plans to build on the site will scupper any hopes they have of the hospital ever being re-opened.

At a drop-in session at the Laverton this Wednesday,  proposals will be unveiled to build 72 new homes on the former hospital site on Hospital Road.

The NHS intends to apply for outline planning permission for around 70 new houses on the site. It is thought the site will then be marketed to a developer with planning permission in place. The NHS has declared the 2.3 hectare site surplus to requirements.

Jenny Clements, who campaigned against the hospital’s closure, had hoped the building would remain in the hope of it being reopened at some point in the future.

Jenny said, “I’m saddened and disappointed by the NHS’ decision to use the site for housing. I still question why the hospital was closed in the first place. Community hospitals in West Wiltshire are  struggling as the population grows and they are so restricted in size and number.

“On hearing the news people have approached me in Westbury and said how disgraceful it is and that we shouldn’t stand for it. We fought hard to keep it open but there was nothing we could do, and there’s nothing we can do now. It has been a sneaky process kept hidden from local residents; I knew nothing about the plans until last week.

“All the money the League of Friends raised for facilities and equipment in the hospital has apparently been for nothing. I do hope people will go and say what they really think.

“Aside from the closure of the hospital, the amount of traffic that 70 houses could generate would be adding to what is already a huge issue in the town. It’s a sad day for Westbury.”

Former Westbury Mayor Charlie Finbow in a letter to White Horse News said, “It is a total and utter disgrace to hear the news that our hospital site is being considered for housing.

“What happened to the ‘new’ head of the NHS saying, “We need more cottage hospitals”?   Whilst the hospital is still standing then there is a slim chance of it being re-opened. It is a vital resource for the town and should be used as such. How long do we have to put up with this nonsense of cuts and selling off?”

And he called for the town to fight the plans. “It’s my view everyone in the town should oppose this as strongly as we can and the town council should ‘grow a pair’ and support the town on this.”

Local resident and campaigner Eddie Bridges said, “The hospital and its grounds were a gift to the townspeople in the early 1900s. The law of ownership has since changed but  the hospital should never have closed without consultation, nor should the site be developed without local residents having a say.

“The new health centre has serious accessibility problems for people in Westbury who can’t drive or are elderly; the old hospital had its problems but at least it was in the centre of town. Congestion was a problem when the hospital was open, and I don’t think building houses on the site is a good idea.”

The draft plans will include affordable housing (subject to viability), demolition of the hospital buildings, creating public open space, improved access, and extensive landscaping and tree planting to protect views from nearby open countryside.

The public drop-in session is taking place on Wednesday 11th February at the Laverton from 4.30pm – 7pm. People will be able to view the outline plans before they are formally submitted and to talk to the project team. Local people are encouraged to comment on the proposals.

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