Hospital on moor goes on market

Apr 23 2008 by Graeme King, The Journal

A PROMINENT Victorian hospital on the edge of Newcastle’s Town Moor has been put up for sale by the NHS with potential uses including a hotel and business premises.

Hunters Moor Hospital in Hunters Road, Spital Tongues, is being marketed by DTZ with proximity to the city centre and Newcastle University highlighted.

The 49,000sq ft buildings are surrounded by mature trees on an estate of nearly six acres. DTZ’s Richard Shield expects a range of proposals. He said: “The hospital site could be used for business, for residential institutions like a hotel or student housing, or community facilities.

“The local authority suggested an informal development brief. It has not been through a formal adoption process, but has been drawn up with local planning officers.

“The building is not listed, though there are some constraints upon the redevelopment. The site is heavily wooded and there are tree preservation orders on some trees.” The site has six bungalows controlled by Your Homes Newcastle, though DTZ has looked at whether this use could be moved.

Mr Shield said: “The price will be reliant on current market conditions and developers’ take on that – how they perceive risk and their intended use. Our expectation is we will receive a variety of proposals.”

A spokeswoman for the owner, Newcastle Primary Care Trust, said: “It was agreed at a Newcastle Primary Care trust board meeting in January 2008 that the building was surplus to the needs of the PCT or any other NHS organisation.

“We are now working with DTZ to offer the property for sale to the commercial sector. This involves ensuring that we get best value from the sale of the property for the public purse as well as working with planners from Newcastle City Council and Your Homes Newcastle to ensure the final use of the building is appropriate and in keeping with the local community.”