Proposals to transform the former Alder Hey children’s hospital site into residences and a social space have been submitted to Liverpool City Council, but Mayor Joe Anderson has not welcomed the plans.
Alder Hey Children’s NHS Foundation Trust intends to build 400 new homes, commercial space, and possible leisure facilities alongside the park at the former hospital site in West Derby to make it “a safe and welcoming space”.
The paediatric hospital moved to a new state-of-the-art facility on the nearby East Prescot Road in 2015, with the trust saying it aims to improve a section of Springfield Park that was demolished as a result of the development.
Homes would be built at the Alder Road edge and Springfield Park will be reshaped, while retaining its previous area of nine hectares, and the development will be in addition to any buildings involved on the promised reinstated parkland.
YouTube: Alder Hey Children’s Hospital
Rebecca Murphy, communications manager of Alder Hey Children’s NHS Foundation Trust, told JMU Journalism: “It is too early to know who will be involved in the actual development, but designs will continue to be developed with Liverpool City Council, Friends of Springfield Park and local residents.”
She said designs of the promised parkland will be developed further in 2017, adding: “We believe the creation of the new park and the associated developments will provide a real boost for the local area and focus for our health promotion activities.”
However, Liverpool Mayor Anderson said: “The plans which have been submitted for the former grounds of Alder Hey Hospital are based on what is best for the hospital and not the residents. The residents around the hospital have been loyal supporters of Alder Hey and backed the council in supporting a new building.
“I am disappointed that there is very little information how the hospital will put right the problems that exist now, i.e parking disruption to the existing residential community. Any new proposal must take into account that the hospital is a neighbour to residents.
“I want to reassure residents that I and the local MP Stephen Twigg and their elected Councillors will hold the hospital to account. I personally will make sure this happens and make sure there is delivery on the promises made to me and to the community.”