Former hospital to be sold off by health trust

Former hospital to be sold off by health trust

10 April 2013

THE former Downe Hospital site in Downpatrick is for sale.

The once magnificent Victorian building, which has fallen into a poor state of repair since it was vacated almost four years ago, will be placed on the open market next month.

Since staff and patients moved out in 2009, the former hospital building has been repeatedly targeted by thieves and vandals. There were also fears that the building would be targeted by arsonists.

The former hospital and nearby sites including the former St. John’s House care home and Pound Lane health clinic are all being sold. The news was confirmed last week by Stormont Health Minister Edwin Poots.

His decision has been welcomed by South Down MP Margaret Ritchie who has been pursuing the redevelopment of the former health complex sites at Pound Lane.

Miss Ritchie said planning approval for a mixed use development at the former hospital site is in place, but a number of local politicians have called for the former hospital — which is a protected listed building — to be bulldozed.

The South Down MP said the three former health sites will go on the open market in May and confirmed she plans to contact the Department of Health before this happens.

Miss Ritchie said it’s important the agent responsible for the disposal of the sites undertakes what she described as a “rigorous advertising campaign” to ensure every possible opportunity is taken to highlight the economic and social benefits of “regenerating this substantial town centre site.”

The MP added: “It’s vital that we do everything within our power to promote the redevelopment of this prime location for the betterment of the local community and the development of our local economy.”