South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust (SLaM) has launched a consultation on proposals to build 570 new homes at its Lambeth Hospital site.  

The plans would mean some NHS land is privately sold off – SLaM said it “recognises there are sensitivities around the use of surplus NHS land”, and is “actively looking at ways [it] can retain an interest in the site for the long term”. 

The consultation follows a decision by NHS South East London Clinical Commissioning Group to move adult inpatient mental health services from Lambeth Hospital, in Landor Road, to new facilities on the Maudsley Hospital site in Denmark Hill. 

The Trust said the money generated from the homes, 258 of which are set to be affordable, would be “reinvested back into our current and future hospital and community facilities”.

It said “unlike some other trusts”, most of its hospital buildings are “old and in poor condition”, 60 per cent were built more than 30 years ago, while there is “little money for improvements”.

A spokesperson said: “This is the next step in the Trust’s vision to deliver world class mental health care for patients.

“The aim of this redevelopment is to release value from surplus estate at Lambeth Hospital to reinvest back into our current and future hospital and community facilities, while creating much needed new homes, for local people in Lambeth.

“There is little money available to make the improvements needed.  

“We therefore need to use the proceeds from our surplus estate at Lambeth Hospital to invest back into our other current and future hospital and community facilities.” 

The new buildings would mostly be five to seven storeys high, with one 18-storey tower in the centre of the site. 

Wandsworth Times:

Just under half the homes, a mix of 220 one-beds, 300 two-beds, and 40 three-beds, will be affordable – 70 per cent social rent and 30 per cent intermediate. 

According to the plans, all homes will have immediate access to outdoor space in the form of private balconies or communal gardens, while the car-free development will provide storage for 1,100 bicycles.  

Following the consultation, the Trust expects to submit a planning application to the council in autumn, while the decision is expected in winter 2020/21.

Online consultation events will take place on Tuesday, August 4, and Monday, August 10, from 6pm to 7pm.  

To register contact: lambethplanning@londoncommunications.co.uk calling or the freephone line on 0800 307 7650