'Scandal' of unused site looks set to end

Plans by the Primary Care Trust to build new health facilities on the former Putney Hospital site have been approved by councillors.

A new four-storey building on the southern half of the site, which stands next to Putney Common, will provide accommodation for three local GP practices. The new centre will also include a café, pharmacy and facilities for health visitors , district nurses, chiropodists and other clinics.

At the northern end of the site a new four-storey block will provide 24 apartments. The PCT is using money from the sale of the flats to finance the development of the new community health facilities.

Planning applications chairman Leslie McDonnell said, "It is nothing short of a scandal that the local NHS has allowed this hospital to stand empty and unused for so many years. Most people welcome the proposals for new health facilities here although there are reservations about the look of the new residential block.

The proposals, which were approved by the planning applications on October 12, also require the PCT to pay for improved bus information at the site and to ensue that visitor parking is contained within the new health centre site.

October 13, 2006