New plans to demolish a former hospital in west Reading and build a care home in its place have been submitted.
Previous plans for a 55-bed care home at the vacant Dellwood Community Hospital on 22 Liebenrood Road were withdrawn over concerns about the loss of the historic structure.
Applicant Montpelier Estates has submitted a new plan to Reading Borough Council (RBC) for a 53-bed care home for the site which retains the original elements of the house.
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Originally built as a house in the 1890s, the vacant community hospital “does not lend itself to modern healthcare requirements”, according to Montpelier Estates, and is therefore currently derelict and surplus to NHS requirements.
Extensions have been added over the past century but the historic original part of the building remains and will be retained as part of the proposals.
An ‘L’-shaped wing that joins the rear of the building will be constructed.
Due to its layout the existing Victorian building will only house communal facilities and day spaces, with all residents rooms and care facilities within the newly built element.
The existing access road will be retained and will continue to be used by the healthcare facilities that remain to the east of the site – the Dellwood Physiotherapist Unit and the Sue Ryder Duchess of Kent Hospice.
Why the previous plan was withdrawn
When withdrawing the previous plan, which involved demolishing the hospital and constructing a new building, a spokesman for Montpelier Estates said the company was not initially aware of the significance of the existing and building and would come up with new plans.
The Conservation Area Advisory (CAAC) committee had called the previous proposal an “over-intensification of the site” and suggested a refurbishment and extension of the existing building rather than demolishing it and rebuilding it.
And Evelyn Williams, chair of the Reading CAAC, said the design “does not respect the heritage” of the Grade II listed Prospect Park, which is opposite the site.
Dellwood was the first house to be built on Liebenrood Road in the 1890s.
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Neighbours had also raised concerns that inadequate parking would be provided under the plans.
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