A former community hospital in West Reading could become a care home if plans are approved.
Dellwood Community Hospital, located in Liebenrood Road, West Reading served as a hospital and maternity home from 1920 to 2005.
It was the scene of a disaster on Easter Sunday 1954 when a fire broke out.
Although 13 babies tragically died in the blaze, nurse Freda Holland was able to save some of the other babies in the hospital, with her later being honoured with a George Medal.
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In 2005 the hospital was closed as it was judged as surplus to requirement by its governing NHS Clinical Commissioning Group.
Windows of the building were boarded up in August 2021.
Now, developers Montpelier Estates Ltd have applied to convert the site into a 56 bed care home.
While the main building would be retained, an L shaped single storey side extension would be demolished and replaced with a three storey side extension.
It is understood the main building would be used as communal space, a reception and offices, with all the beds provided within the new builds.
Each room would come with a single bed and ensuite toilet.
The project has been recommended for approval by planning officer Matt Burns.
Mr Burns stated public benefits of the scheme included the provision of care, employment opportunities for people and enhanced investment in the local area.
He also praised the scheme for preventing any further decline and damage to the building by bringing it back into productive use and providing for thecontinued evolution of the site for its historic healthcare related uses.
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Buildings to the rear are occupied by The Sue Ryder Duchess of Kent Hospice.
Sue Ryder raised concerns about parking and its advertisng within the existing car park.
The car park at the front of the site has approximately 40 spaces. It is understood 18 spaces would be reserved for use of the care home if the plan is approved, with two of these reserved for disabled blue badge holders.
Mr Burns stated the issue with the signage would be a civil matter between Montpelier Estates and Sue Ryder.
The parking concerns were echoed by Graham Miles, who lives in nearby Dorchester Court.
Mr Miles said: “Whilst we are happy for a care home to be built at Dellwood Community Hospital we are extremely concerned about the parking situation.
“At the moment with just the Hospice open the front car park is always full and people park on Liebenrood Road causing problems when lorries and cars try to pass each other.
“With the reopening of the front part of the old hospital and the new care home where do you expect all the extra staff and visitors to park?”
The fate of the plan is to be decided at a council planning meeting on Wednesday, June 1.
You can view the application by typing reference 211728 into the council’s planning portal.
Nearby buildings to the rear are used as a physiotherapy treatment facility by the Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust.
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