Campaign group's plan to list former Fenwick hospital as community asset to allow it to bid for site

A CAMPAIGN group fighting to save the former Fenwick hospital in Lyndhurst have unveiled plans to list the building as an asset of community value, giving it the right to bid for the site when it goes to auction.

As reported in the A&T, the now-empty facility at Pikes Hill, which had been used as a health and wellbeing centre by Social Care in Action (SCiA) since 2008, is being sold by the NHS.

Paul Meacher, a trustee for the League of Friends of Fenwick Hospital (LoFF), told the A&T: “Rather than let it be auctioned to the highest bidder, LoFF are endeavouring to secure a future for the Fenwick as a community asset.”

As part of the Localism Act 2011, assets of community value can be nominated by parish councils or groups with a connection to the community.

If the nomination is accepted, groups are able to put a bid in if and when the asset goes up for sale.

If its offer is accepted, the LoFF will retain the original hospital building as a health and wellbeing centre.

However, in the absence of substantial private backing, the group acknowledges that, for the centre to be viable, it will need to be financially independent.

In order to achieve this, the northern part of the site nearest to Pikes Hill has been earmarked for the development of affordable housing, which when sold would finance the development of the rest of the site.

The former day centre, together with the car park to the south, would see homes built for the rental market and managed by a charitable body such as a housing association or almshouse to accommodate key workers and local people.

Mr Meacher added: “LoFF are determined that any development of the Fenwick be sympathetic to the residents of Pikes Hill, as well as to supporting the needs of the village and local community.

“Lyndhurst Parish Council has agreed to assist by carrying out a survey to identify services which will augment and not compete with what is available.”

The A&T has approached the NHS for comment.