Disappointment over scheme to convert St James’ site into homes
Campaigners set to oppose plans
CAMPAIGNERS have been left ‘disappointed’ over revised plans to re-develop a Portsmouth hospital into homes with concerns over a loss of green space and trees.
Amended plans for housing at St James’ Hospital in Milton, including a reduction in the number of dwellings on site from the originally proposed 230 to 204, have been revealed.
Following a year-long consultation process with the city council, heritage experts and local groups, developer PJ Livesey Group has submitted a new planning application for the grounds.
The changes also include the conversion of the site's Grade-II listed chapel into two properties and the retention of the original kitchen area to be transformed into four homes.
Joint managing director at PJ Livesey, Georgina Livesey, said: ' We believe these new plans offer a sympathetic and sustainable new use for the historic buildings on the site, while preserving, and, in many cases, enhancing their setting while the contemporary new properties are respectful of the original buildings.'
Overall, existing buildings at the site will be converted into a total of 151 homes, up from original plans of 146, and 56 homes will be built in the grounds - down from 84.
And it is planned the cricket pitch and pavilion will be retained and protected, and public access a new one kilometre running and walking track will be created around the perimeter of the site.
But campaign group, Keep Milton Green, will be objecting to the scheme.
Kimberly Barrett, the group's founder, said: ' We were hoping with the changes being made that it might have meant the development would be a bit more sympathetic. It's actually very disappointing.
'We spoke a lot to the developer about keeping the chapel for community uses or at least retaining it as it is. Turning it into properties means we lose the stained glass windows.
'There's also the loss of green space to the north of St James' Green and the fact 57 trees will be cut down.'
Comments about the plans can be made to Portsmouth City Council until February 12 - although this could be extended at a future date.
The project is separate to plans for 107 homes on part of the hospital site and proposals for a 66-bed care home on the south of the site.
We believe these plans offer a sympathetic and sustainable new use for the historic buildings Georgina Livesey