Work on the £242m redevelopment of Broadmoor Hospital in Berkshire has started.
The redevelopment, led by Kier Construction, received planning permission in 2012 and includes 10 new wards, providing accommodation for 210 patients within a new secure environment.
The design, led by Oxford Architects in conjunction with LDA Design, will include a new entrance building, central facilities building, gardens, recreation areas, and extensive landscaping. As part of the enabling works package for the project, a new energy centre and staff training facility have also been constructed.
Since 2012, LDA design has continued to work with the West London Mental Health NHS Trust and contractor, Balfour Beatty, to deliver other phases of enabling works, including the design and completion of the main access road to the new hospital, constructed to minimise local community disruption.
The landscape proposals for the main redevelopment, by LDA Design, include a range of new gardens and high-quality spaces for use by patients, staff and visitors.
Mike Foster, project director at LDA Design, said: “It is great news that the main redevelopment has officially started. We are looking forward to continuing our work with West London Mental Health NHS Trust and the construction team over the next few years to deliver an exemplar environment at Broadmoor Hospital to support its excellent mental health care.”
David Phillips, redevelopment programme manager, added: "Achieving Department of Health full business case approval, then celebrating the cutting of the sod ceremony just one month later on a build of this scale shows what an important project this is and just how well the trust and its partners operate together.
Originally built in 1863, Broadmoor Hospital provides specialist mental health care services within a high-secure environment for male patients from London and the south of England. It is one of three high-secure hospitals in England, and is internationally recognised for its specialised work with patients with some of the most challenging mental health needs as well as its research activities.