Plans for the redevelopment of Denbigh’s historic North Wales Hospital site have been given the thumbs up by members of the public as a series of consultations has begun.
The latest at Denbigh Library this week saw detailed sets of plans on display with senior representatives from developers Jones Bros available to discuss the proposals and answer questions.
Afterwards Helen Morgan, of the Ruthin-based civil engineering company said: “We have been very pleased with the response we have had from Denbigh residents and their council representatives.
“This is a major project which is expected to take 10 years to deliver in full but it will ensure the preservation of the original Hospital building which is a Grade Two Star listed building, provide much-needed high quality housing and guaranteed jobs and employment training for the future.
“We’re very excited to be involved in such an exciting project which can make such a difference to the town of Denbigh and preserves something of such historic and social importance to the area.
“We feel there has been a recognition that this is the last and best chance for the Hospital to be preserved and for the site to once again be an integral and active part of the local community.
“There have been concerns raised about the traffic to the site but we feel we are well qualified to minimise these issues as we are well used to organising the routing of construction vehicles for major projects such as the Brenig wind farms.”
A steady stream of visitors to the Library were able to inspect the plans and question Helen Morgan and Cathryn Johnson, who represents Les Stephan Planning, the development and planning consultants for the project.
Among them was Jeremy Jones, of Love Lane, Denbigh, a Senior Health Manager who followed his parents, aunts and uncles and grandmother in working at the hospital.
He said: “I do have concerns about the traffic issues it will cause but I am in favour of the proposals.
“My family have worked there for most of the last century and I have fond memories of the place and the good work that was done there.
“High-quality housing which is going to be good for the town is fine by me.”
David Parry, of Dyserth, was keen that the wildlife of the site was considered and he added: “Development of the site makes absolute sense to me as long as the environmental impact is considered.”
The proposals from Jones Bros also include provision of a new home for Denbigh Cricket Club which this year celebrated its 175th anniversary but whose ground at Ystrad Road has been steadily surrounded by new housing developments over the years.
Club member David Schrimshaw said: “The club can survive where it is but we want to make sure we can still be here for the next 175 years and moving to the hospital site could ensure that.
“It would allow us to improve the playing facilities and make Denbigh one of the best clubs in North Wales.
“The England and Wales Cricket Board have been very supportive of a possible move and Jones Bros have also been very helpful with their plans.”
Jones Bros are currently building a brand new training centre at the Hospital site which will employ 20 people and train 60 apprentices a year while it will also be used to update the skills of the company’s existing workforce.
The firm expects to submit a hybrid planning application to Denbighshire County Council for the first phase of the redevelopment which will include the restoration of the Hospital’s U-shaped central section with its impressive façade.
It is proposed that it is turned into residential apartments and the hospital chapel is also to be preserved complemented by services which could include shops, restaurants and a gym for local residents.
The development of the site, which is expected to take 10 years and include the sensitively phased construction of 300 homes, will start with a clearing operation which will include the safe removal of asbestos and the restoration of the 36-acre site’s attractive woods.
For more information on Jones Bros go to https://www.jones-bros.com/ and for more on the North Wales Hospital project go to http://www.lspltd.co.uk/project_post_item/riverside-eco-homes-3/
