Demolition for development at Shotley Bridge

Beginning 19 June, demolition begins at the redundant hospital buildings at Shotley Bridge, near Consett in the North-East of England, currently in poor condition following storm damage and vandalism.

The work, part of the Hospital Sites Programme for brownfield regeneration, is expected to last six months and will be carried out by contractors G O’Brien & Sons, working for national regeneration agency English Partnerships. Once the site is cleared, a developer will be selected to start redevelopment in line with local needs. The District Council and the local community will be consulted throughout the redevelopment of the site.  

The Hospital Sites Programme is a nationwide programme to bring a portfolio of 96 redundant hospital sites back into productive use.  Totalling 1,600 ha of land, the sites offer a mixture of development opportunities and will make a significant contribution to national regeneration agency, English Partnerships’ objective to make the best use of surplus public sector land.

The sites offer the potential to generate up to 14,000 new homes in sustainable communities.  Approximately half – 7,000 – will be affordable homes, including properties for first time buyers.  The programme was initiated through the transfer of sites between NHS Estates and the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister to English Partnerships in April 2005.  A number of the sites contain buildings or landscapes of historic significance, and English Partnerships is working closely with English Heritage to ensure their preservation.