Fenwick Hospital site in Lyndhurst could be used for housing

The Fenwick complex at Pikes Hill in Lyndhurst was sold by the NHS last year, despite widespread opposition to the move and claims it had been gifted to the village.

Opened in 1908, it closed as a hospital in 2005 and was run as a health and wellbeing centre from 2008 until 2022.

Now the site's new owners, London-based Goldcrest Custom Homes, have drawn up plans to provide 20 homes.

Goldcrest Custom Homes has published proposals to use the former Fenwick Hospital site in Lyndhurst for housing (Image: ARC Architecture Ltd)

The proposed development includes 16 new dwellings comprising a mixture of two, three, and four-bedroom properties. Cottages at the entrance to the site would be converted into four houses.

A planning application is due to be submitted to the New Forest National Park Authority later this year.

READ MORE: New Forest former hospital is set to be sold off by the NHS - despite widespread opposition

A brochure outlining the proposal says: "Lyndhurst is identified as having the widest range of services and facilities of all the settlements within the New Forest National Park.

"The site is clearly recognised as being in a sustainable location for new residential development.

"The proposed development would make a meaningful contribution towards meeting the housing requirement for the New Forest National Park Local Plan area."

Plans to use the former Fenwick Hospital site in Lyndhurst for housing have been published by Goldrest Custom Homes (Image: Supplied)

The brochure says the scheme represents an "opportunity to reinstate an underutilised brownfield site, including buildings which are vacant".

It adds: "A very high-quality standard of design is envisaged, with each dwelling having access to a generous sized curtilage with car parking, designed to reflect the character of Pikes Hill."

READ MORE: Parish leaders accuse health bosses of deliberately running down hospital to make it easier to close

New Forest district councillor David Harrison said: "I encouraged officers to consider the former Fenwick Hospital as a possible permanent headquarters for the New Forest National Park Authority.

"It has the advantage of actually being in the national park, unlike the Lymington HQ where the lease is to run out soon.

"However, it  would probably cost too much to convert. I think housing is probably best option now.

"I will be a little sad to see it demolished. Like many locals of a certain age, I was born there."

Plans to dispose of the Fenwick were published by the NHS last year.

Speaking at the time, an NHS spokesperson said: "The site has not been used as an NHS hospital since 2005 and NHS England, in its role as landlord, will be putting the building up for auction."

A planning application relating to the former Fenwick Hospital in Lyndhurst is due to be submitted later this year (Image: Newsquest)

Supporters of the Fenwick said it should be preserved for the village.

They claimed the 20-bed hospital was left to the people of Lyndhurst by the builder, George Fenwick, and "loaned" to NHS when it was formed in 1948. But the NHS said only part of the site belonged to the community.

George Dibben, chairman of the League of Friends of Fenwick Hospital, said the group was offered first refusal but lacked the funds to buy the site.

The Fenwick was sold at auction and is reported to have fetched £825,000.