Barnes Hospital | Cheadle

[js1000]

Can anyone shed any light on this building? Next to the A34/M56 between Didsbury/Gatley/Cheadle.


Been derelict for over 10 years despite being Grade II listed. I'm fed up of driving past the unloved thing. I think its quite bright architecturally - like a monastery.

I heard Fred Done bought it last year with a view to redevelopment from Realty Estates but nothing has been muttered since.

[ScouseinManc]

This place fascinates me.
There's tons of stuff about Barnes on the web.
Yes, there were plans to create 50+ apartments, but so far nothing.
I just hope it doesn't get left to a state, where there will be no option but to demolish it, for H&S reasons (which is what a lot of developers tend to do & something which really hacks me off!!).
My guess is though that demolition will happen, that's the cynic in me...

[DiscoSteve]

Spent an unhappy few weeks visiting Barnes in the mid 90's when my wife's Gran was in there. Its not really the best spot for residential buildings given that it is tightly and entirely circled by motorway and motorway sliproads...

[js1000]

Originally Posted by DiscoSteve

Spent an unhappy few weeks visiting Barnes in the mid 90's when my wife's Gran was in there. Its not really the best spot for residential buildings given that it is tightly and entirely circled by motorway and motorway sliproads...

I always envisaged it to be a possible office/hotel development considering its proximity between Cheshire, Manchester and the airport. Would look a lovely building lit up night from the A34/slip roads/M56 as it lies on a mount.

[poshbakerloo]

Even though its surrounded by roads...the actual road access it pretty awkward

[CHAPS2034]

Just found an article in the current Stockport Times West (24/01/2013) about the Barnes Site but I can't find a link electronically.

It refers to a public consultation for local residents held in Cheadle Village Hall (but doesn't say when) by the developers. Some extracts below

"Now developers Eden House Estates has reveled plans to restore the hospital building - turning it into about 80 small apartments -as well as creating a range of one and two bedroom apartments and three and four bedroom houses within the grounds."

"A public consultation..... also outlined plans for a football pitch and a pond with vehicle access from Kingsway".

The site "is now owned by Fred Done of Betfred who bought the 12 acre site for £3.5m".

"No planning application has been submitted yet but one is expected this spring".

I expect the road access for all this will be of great interest to the local planners!

Like Steve, I also spent a few unhappy weeks there as a youngster visiting my dad before he died in 1961, so it will be great to see it in use again.

Cheers

[b4mmy]

I worked on a proposal to convert this in to residential and some element of new build - quite a few years ago... 10 maybe. Finance, access and general market interest even in the boom years was a problem for this. I agree with an earlier post that it would be a perfect HQ for a large company, and if not a great location for start ups. I also understand that it was going to be hugely expensive to convert and demolish due to the nature of the build and the layout.

[iheartthenew]

Originally Posted by poshbakerloo

Even though its surrounded by roads...the actual road access it pretty awkward

There's a road under the A34 that leads to the housing estate on the other side. Probably why residential is more likely than any commercial use.

[js1000]

Originally Posted by iheartthenew

There's a road under the A34 that leads to the housing estate on the other side. Probably why residential is more likely than any commercial use.

Yes, if anyone from south Manchester (or Barnes Hospital also) wants to get on the M60 clockwise, the only way to do so is to turn off the A34, go under the A34 to get to the other side of carriageway to do a u-turn onto the M60. You can see the road at the top of the image which was posted.

Technically your not allowed and the residents don't like it. On the other hand, its a problem which should have been sorted out years ago.

[DiscoSteve]

Technically.... I think you'll find there are Access Only signs so you breaking the law

[js1000]

Originally Posted by DiscoSteve

Technically.... I think you'll find there are Access Only signs so you breaking the law

Think you will find I said that you are not allowed in my previous post if you read it.

And do you really think the police have enough time these days to fine drivers for cutting through places they shouldn't?

[DiscoSteve]

they seem to and in the past they have, I know people who got caught

[js1000]

Originally Posted by DiscoSteve

they seem to and in the past they have, I know people who got caught

Well, they should have better things to do with their time like solving murders. Read recently GMP have a massive backlog of work.

[Shrimper]

Traffic police don't tend to get involved in murders.

[js1000]

Originally Posted by Shrimper

Traffic police don't tend to get involved in murders.

Police resources then. Watch Traffic Cops, how many of them are involved with criminals rather than just driving offences? Even the officers on the show admit they are now drafted in to tackle criminals.

[LongRipple]

Wikipedia suggests it is now owned by four local businessmen who hope to commence work on a residential project in 2013.

The large collection of low rise, newer buildings on DiscoSteve’s aerial shot have been removed- looking at GoogleEarth (dated 2009).

It could be a great Hotel and Conference Centre given its location and connectivity- could squeeze a driving range on the site perhaps?

From a residential perspective the proximity to all those roads could be off-putting for families especially with the (potentially) high nitrous oxide levels and noise.

The very similar asylum buildings at Standen Park in Lancaster redeveloped parts of the old Lancaster Moor Hospital site, retaining Grade II Listed chapels and halls whilst adding new build around with great success; albeit in a far more picturesque location. The next phase of the actual main hospital building is due to begin shortly (which is similar to Barnes Hospital) thanks to government funding.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england...shire-20205939

[js1000]

Originally Posted by LongRipple

Wikipedia suggests it is now owned by four local businessmen who hope to commence work on a residential project in 2013.

The large collection of low rise, newer buildings on DiscoSteve’s aerial shot have been removed- looking at GoogleEarth (dated 2009).

It could be a great Hotel and Conference Centre given its location and connectivity- could squeeze a driving range on the site perhaps?

From a residential perspective the proximity to all those roads could be off-putting for families especially with the (potentially) high nitrous oxide levels and noise.

The very similar asylum buildings at Standen Park in Lancaster redeveloped parts of the old Lancaster Moor Hospital site, retaining Grade II Listed chapels and halls whilst adding new build around with great success; albeit in a far more picturesque location. The next phase of the actual main hospital building is due to begin shortly (which is similar to Barnes Hospital) thanks to government funding.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england...shire-20205939

I've always thought it would make a good office/hotel development myself considering its proximity to the road network, airport and Cheshire folk.

You look at the Shirley Institute (The Towers) in Didsbury, old building successfully renovated. As you say, I can't imagine families wanting to live there. A real shame to see it decay for a decade to be honest.

[LongRipple]

'Manhattan-loft' apartment plan for former Barnes Hospital




An artist's impression of how the development at the former Barnes Hospital will look


A total of 300 homes could be built on the site of a former hospital.

The planning application is the 17th received for the old Barnes Hospital on Kingsway in Cheadle since 2000.

The main hospital building, an imposing Gothic Grade II-listed building, which has stood neglected since it closed in 1999, will be converted into 78 ‘Manhattan loft’ style studio apartments as part of the Barnes Village plans.

Proposals for the eight-hectare site also include three new apartment blocks containing 100 units, 63 semi-detached and terraced houses and 59 two-bed apartments.

Playing fields, woodland, a wildlife pond, play facilities and a 474-space car park will complete the huge development. A quarter of the homes will be set aside for affordable housing.

Four businessmen took over ownership of the site in March 2012 and developers Eden House consulted residents over the plans when concerns were raised over parking and traffic issues.

The hospital is circled by the M60 and A34. Access to the site would be via Kingsway while a pedestrian footbridge to the south east of the site over the M60 sliproad will give access to Cheadle village.

The planning statement says: “Barnes Village will be a place of distinctive characters inspired by the Barnes Hospital. A high quality, high density housing scheme that is both deliverable and sustainable in today’s market place.”

The hospital was built in 1875 by Robert Barnes. It operated throughout the wars, caring for injured soldiers, and patients with tuberculosis and yellow fever.

The hospital was later used for older patients and stroke sufferers and closed its doors after cuts to local healthcare budgets.

Following its closure it temporarily housed a large group of refugees from Kosovo, appeared on the TV programme Most Haunted Live and was briefly occupied by travellers in 2007.

It has been plagued by vandalism and is one of five north west buildings on the Heritage at Risk register.

http://www.manchestereveningnews.co....barnes-2998123
.

[jrb]

Pass it every day to and from work. Bout bloody time it was redeveloped. Been standing like that for long enough. Should sell well.