York Bootham Park Hospital works Rachael Maskell call

York Council has agreed to extend the deadline for works on Bootham Park Hospital to August to avoid planning permission to redevelop it into a 172-bed retirement complex expiring.

Developers Stonehouse Projects Ltd and DRK Planning Ltd wrote to the council saying they were set to start on works required at the site under planning permission granted in 2023.

But York Central’s Labour MP Rachael Maskell said the Government should intervene to keep the historic psychiatric hospital in community hands, with Prime Minister Keir Starmer saying ministers would look into the case.

A spokesperson for NHS Property Services which owns the site, off Bootham, said they were obliged to sell it to get the best value for the health service.

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Moves by the developers and Ms Maskell’s call at Prime Minister’s Questions on Wednesday, April 22, come after plans to turn the site into a luxury retirement complex were approved in 2023.

The 7.23 hectare site, including the Grade I-listed 18th Century hospital building designed by architect John Carr, was put on the market weeks after planning permission was granted.

It is currently listed for sale by Savills and the estate agent said it represented an exceptional and landmark opportunity for redevelopment.

The hospital itself closed in 2015 and has since stood empty.

Developers Stonehouse and DRK Planning have applied to discharge conditions required under the 2023 permission including site remediation, tree protection and biodiversity and bats schemes.

Council officials have agreed to a time extension until Friday, August 14 to allow the developer to complete the works.

York Central MP Ms Maskell told the House of Commons on Wednesday the site had been given in trust to the people of York when it was built in 1777.

She added £5.5 million had been squandered on maintaining it since the hospital closed in 2015.

Speaking after her intervention, Ms Maskell said she had long campaigned for the building to be kept in public hands for the public good.

Former Bootham Park Hospital site, York .Picture Frank Dwyer

The MP said: “I highlighted the case to the Prime Minister, noting the costs to the public of keeping the building empty for the last 11 years, this is almost the same as the original sale price.

“Now, if there is any chance of keeping this asset in public hands, I want the Government to pursue it and am following up my question by meeting the responsible Government Ministers.”

Prime Minister Sir Keir said he knew the site was hugely significant for the people of York and ministers would be happy to work on the case.

A spokesperson for owners NHS Property Services Ltd said funds raised by the site would be reinvested into the health service.

The spokesperson said: “It is now under offer and when completed would secure public access and local schools with sports’ facilities and a new cycle path, whilst enabling a long-term viable use for a heritage building.

“The planning permission allows for the former Bootham Hospital to be converted to retirement living.

“During our marketing, NHSPS incurred substantial costs to ensure its security and maintenance due to its heritage status.”

Bootham Park Hospital was the fifth public mental hospital when it was built in the 1770s and was originally known as the York Lunatic Asylum.