New school and clinic could open next year if plans are approved
CGI of London River Academy. Picture: BDP. Provided in Richmond Council documents
February 15, 2023
Images have been published of what the new NHS mental health centre at the Barnes Hospital site could look like. Proposals for the new facilities, which will replace old buildings on South Worple Way, have been designed in collaboration with patients, staff and locals.
The new 90-place special educational needs school would be called London River Academy and operated by the Beckmead Trust, according to a planning statement. It would be for students aged between seven and 19 years old with social, emotional and mental health needs.
The clinic would be an outpatient facility for adults with mental health needs run by South West London and St George’s Mental Health NHS Trust, the statement adds.
Barnes Isolation Hospital first opened in 1889 to care for patients with infectious diseases. It was later renamed and mainly provided mental health services by the early 1990s. It has not provided inpatient services since 2013 and existing outpatient services will be relocated to Teddington while the new centre is built.
Outline plans to bulldoze disused buildings on the site and put up a new mental health centre, school and homes on the site were approved by Richmond Council in September 2020, ahead of detailed applications being submitted for the separate parts.
Housing plans for the site were then brought forward by Star Land Realty UK – including 106 flats in blocks up to four storeys tall and revamping two buildings to create three homes. The council is considering these plans.
The Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, Secretary of State for Education and the South West London and St George’s Mental Health NHS Trust have submitted a separate application for the mental health centre and school to the council. The school and clinic could open by 2024 if the plans are approved.
A visualisation of the development submitted with the planning application. Picture: BDP. Provided in Richmond Council documents
A spokesperson for South West London and St George’s Mental Health NHS Trust said: “As part of our ambitious plans to transform mental health services in South West London, the trust is applying to develop a new hub for adult outpatient services at Barnes Hospital. Pending planning approval and government sign-off, this will replace old and outdated buildings which are no longer suitable for modern mental healthcare.
“All services will continue without interruption during the construction phase, with teams at Barnes relocating temporarily to Livingston House in Teddington, a short distance away. Patients’ and service users’ appointments will be based there until services move back to the new Barnes Hospital once it is finished in spring 2024.
“The proposed facility has been designed in collaboration with patients, staff and local people, including a recent consultation on the final plans with our community and partners in November 2022. In all, it represents an £11m investment in mental health services and will be part of a new mixed-use community alongside housing and a new school, which is being developed by the Department for Education.
“At the same time, the trust is working to expand and enhance adult community mental health services in Richmond, ensuring people are offered the right care and support as they need it, in the community and closer to home. We look forward to continuing to work closely with patients, staff, our partners and our wider community as this exciting vision for Barnes and Richmond progresses.” The council will look over the application in due course.
Charlotte Lillywhite - Local Democracy Reporter
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