St Bartholomew’s, a former hospital in Rochester, has been sold to MCR Property Group for redevelopment, raising funds for reinvestment into the NHS estate and freeing up land for much-needed new homes.
In June 2016, St Bartholomew’s was deemed surplus to requirements for the delivery of modern healthcare services by Medway Clinical Commissioning Group.
The site has been vacant since September 2016.
As owner of the land, NHS Property Services is responsible for securing the highest value for surplus estates so that capital receipts can be reinvested back into the NHS estate to enable improvements to patient care.
MCR Property Group bought the hospital for £2.65m in October this year.
The property is one of 30 developments that joins MCR Property Group’s £2billion residential portfolio.
The Manchester-based developer is now finalising plans for a £30m mixed-tenure residential development of new homes on the site, ranging from one-bedroom apartments to three-bedroom houses.
All new properties will be sensitively incorporated into the picturesque grounds and the project includes the conversion of the main hospital building and the restoration of various grade-II listed features.
David Thurgar, senior transaction manager at NHS Property Services, said: “The sale of a site like St Bartholomew’s not only raises significant capital receipts to put straight towards the improvement of the NHS estate, but also makes space for new homes on a site, which is a piece of local history.”
Chris Taylor, asset manager of MCR Property Group and managing director of its sales arm, Regency Residential, said: “Within walking distance from the rail station and adjoining the high street, the former hospital buildings will present an attractive setting for new homes.
“We are excited to bring further investment into the area with the purchase of the site.”
