New Forest District Council proposes 22 new homes on land at newly built Hythe hospital
PLANS for 22 affordable homes have been unveiled for land next to the newly built Hythe and Dibden War Memorial hospital.
A consultation has been launched by New Forest District Council over its draft proposal, ahead of detailed proposals being submitted.
As reported in the A&T, the £10m community hospital at Beaulieu Road replaces the worn-out facility which closed in 2016 after a review found the buildings were in a poor condition.
The homes scheme, which already has outline permission, would be constructed on surplus land that the NHS sold to NFDC for an undisclosed sum.
Locals can also give their feedback online after a consultation event outlining the plans was held at Hythe and Dibden parish hall.
The council's consultation documents stated: "In a similar layout to previously considered proposals, the new homes will comprise 15 one and two bedroom flats, with the remainder being two, three and four-bedroom houses.
"The proposals seek to deliver 100% of units on this site as affordable homes owned by NFDC.
"We want to hear the views of local people on our development proposals so that we can further improve the scheme."
The plans also include 35 parking spaces, bin and bike stores for the flats, and shared amenity areas.
The new hospital is expected to be open by the autumn.
Once fully operational, services will include physiotherapy, ear nose and throat (ENT) care, a respiratory clinic, an older persons mental health team, podiatry, bladder, bowel and stoma care, and various paediatric health services.
There will also be a heart failure clinic, maternity services, gynaecology, urology, general medicine, ultrasound, leg ulcer care and special care dentistry.
NFDC said it plans to submit a formal planning application within weeks. If approved, work on the new homes would begin in 2023.
To give feedback on the plans visit www.newforest.gov.uk/consultations