Skip to content

Opinions sought on old hospital building's future

Eleanor Maslin & Amy Carr
BBC News
ULHT A disused old building with overgrown grass and greenery growing up the walls. A fence is lined up along the front. The sky is a deep blue in the background.ULHT
The old hospital building dates back to 1874 and has been vacant for about 20 years, ULHT said

A councillor has suggested turning a derelict hospital building into a short-term care facility.

United Lincolnshire Hospitals Trust (ULHT) is seeking public opinion on the future of the original Grantham hospital building, which faces out on to Manthorpe Road.

Consultation events will run from 17 February until 31 March to decide whether the building should be restored or disposed of.

Councillor Charmaine Morgan, chairman of SOS Grantham Hospital, said the campaign group was "definitely opposed" to the building being demolished.

Blue and white Grantham & District Hospital sign on grass. It says United Lincolnshire Hospitals NHS Trust at the top then welcome to Grantham District Hospital with a red A&E sign underneath.
The trust said it was only consulting on the future of the old building, not Grantham and District Hospital

The hospital building dates back to 1874 and according to ULHT, had been vacant for about 20 years.

Alternative suggestions for its use have included renovation for NHS use, selling it to a third party, or demolishing it and reusing the land.

ULHT said it recognised the importance of the building and that it held "many fond memories" for residents.

Morgan, a South Kesteven district councillor, said the building had a "history and association with people in the town" as well as being "a very important architectural landmark".

'Biggest win all-round'

She said: "Ideally I think most people would like to see it back in action run by the trust but for community benefit.

"A convalescent home seems to be the biggest win all-round because it would [ease] bed blocking but [keep people] in care before they go back home.

"We are definitely opposed to the potential of it being demolished."

Mike Parkhill, group chief estates and facilities officer at Lincolnshire Community and Hospitals NHS Group, said: "We are really looking forward to hearing all of the ideas as they will help us develop the future plans for this old part of the hospital.

"We will then work together to bring these plans to life."

In-person events will be held at Grantham and District Hospital on 3 and 12 March and online sessions will be held on 6 and 11 March. An online survey is also available.

Listen to highlights from Lincolnshire on BBC Sounds, watch the latest episode of Look North or tell us about a story you think we should be covering here.

More on this story
Related internet links