English Partnerships and Crest Nicholson bring homes to first
time buyers in Milford
The Milford Hospital site has moved one step closer
to a revival after the National Regeneration Agency,
English Partnerships, appointed Crest Nicholson to
provide around 200 sustainable new homes at the Milford
Hospital site in Milford, Surrey.
English Partnerships acquired derelict land at the
Milford Hospital site, two years ago, as part of its
Hospital Sites Programme. Launched in 2005, the
Programme aims to bring 96 redundant hospital sites
across the country back into productive use.
Following a two-stage selection process, in which four
developers were short listed, Crest Nicholson was
selected due to its impressive plans and its ability to
deliver an exceptional development. The developer
fulfilled the evaluation criteria set by the agency,
which included sustainability, design quality,
experience of community engagement, and willingness to
deliver the First Time Buyers Initiative – a low-cost
home-ownership initiative introduced by English
Partnerships.
The part of the hospital to the front of the site will
remain open and continue to be retained by the Surrey
Primary Care Trust.
Of the 12.8 hectares (ha) of acquired land, 5.6ha will
be redeveloped to accommodate around 200 new build
homes. Forty per cent of which will be available for
shared ownership and a further 25 homes will be
specifically reserved for first time buyers and key
workers in the local area, as part of the First Time
Buyers Initiative. This gives people the opportunity to
purchase a high quality, low cost home in an area where
homes are increasingly unaffordable. Additionally, all
of the homes will meet the EcoHomes Excellent standard,
providing effective ways of saving energy.
The remaining 7.2 ha of land will be left for open space
incorporating community facilities for the residents and
the wider community to enjoy at their own leisure.
David Ashworth, English Partnerships’ South East Area
Director, is excited about the future of the
development, he says; “The plans that Crest Nicholson
submitted were exceptional. We are excited to be
transforming this redundant former hospital site into a
sustainable neighbourhood that will bring new
residential accommodation to a site that will increase
the provision of affordable high quality homes for those
who are struggling to get a foot on the property
ladder.”
Stephen Stone, Chief Executive, Crest Nicholson Plc,
comments, “Our proposals for the Milford Hospital site
drive forward Crest Nicholson’s commitment to delivering
design-led, high quality sustainable homes. We continue
to champion the development of sustainable technology
and expect to see a 12% reduction in carbon emissions
across the site. To date, we have had considerable
success getting first time buyers throughout the country
onto the property ladder using English Partnerships
First Time Buyer Initiative. We plan to offer this
scheme at Milford Hospital to local residents looking to
buy their first home.”
A detailed planning application is to be submitted and,
from the outset, Crest Nicholson and English
Partnerships will liaise with local politicians,
residents, and other stakeholders. Crest Nicholson will
seek to secure planning consent and then to commence
building work on the site late 2008 with a view to the
first homes being occupied summer 2009. The entire
development is due for completion in 2012.
Email:
helene@phoenixplc.com
Arundel Jones Associates Ltd
Hill Farm, Linton Hill, Maidstone, Kent ME17 4AL
Tel : 01622 745333
news@buildingdesign.co.uk
Registered in England and Wales No. 07334149
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