E19 Annex 4 - Mundesley Hospital Development Brief

Plan of Mundesley Hospital

1. The mature woodland to the south of the hospital screens the main hospital building from views from the south. The woodland also encloses the open space in front of the main hospital building. This area should be retained as a mature woodland so that it will continue to provide a natural screen and enclosure to the open space. The sympathetic upgrading of the existing track through the woodland could provide an alternative access to the west of site.
   
2. The lawned open space in front of the main hospital complex contains mature trees and a thatched open-sided pavilion. It provides a 'parkland setting' and amenity space to the main hospital building.
   This area is to be retained as open space so as to preserve the important view of the facade of the original timber building. No new buildings will be allowed in this area, although consideration could be given to its use in association with any redevelopment proposals. The restoration of the pavilion is desirable.
   
3. Part of the open space fronting the nurses home and ward has been laid out as a metalled car park. The area to the south of the nurses home was, until recently, occupied by substantial greenhouses and outbuildings. This area is highly visible from Southrepps Road.
   
   Development in this area could have a detrimental impact on the landscape and therefore would require careful design or substantial screening. This area should remain as an amenity open space containing car parking. Additional planting along the southern boundary would help to screen the car park.
   
4. This is a brick and tile two-storey building with attractive gables, roof and window details. It is set in lawned grounds, and shielded from distant views by a row of mature trees.
   
   The building is probably too large for a single residence, but may be converted to provide residential or holiday flats. The building is self contained and therefore could accommodate alternative uses, although these may require extensive internal alterations. Modest extensions may be acceptable on the land immediately to the east and west of the building. Any extensions will be required to be in character with the existing building and its setting and have regard to the existing mature trees. The creation of a new access and car parking facilities off the existing road to the north and east may also be possible.
   
5. This is a brick and tiled building of substantial construction in a 'dormitory style' design. It is linked to the main hospital block by a passage over the road. It is the most visible of all the hospital buildings from prime viewpoints on Southrepps Road to the south.
   
   This building is probably best suited to an institutional use, but an alternative reuse may be acceptable. The building may require internal reorganization to achieve an effective unit. The proximity to the coast and local recreational facilities also gives it some potential for a conversion to holiday use. The existing link to the main hospital provides some potential in connection with these buildings, but it could be severed if a separate use is proposed.
   
6. This substantial brick and tiled building forms an extension to the original hospital block.
   
   This large building with big rooms could be converted to an institutional, or other, use in association with the main hospital building. Vehicle parking may be accommodated on the existing car park or possibly on adjoining land. It would probably be difficult to extend this building without compromising the open space or the main hospital building alongside.
   
7. The original timber building constructed in 1899 is undoubtedly the most attractive and interesting part of the hospital. The building can be seen through the foreground trees as an imposing white building from the distance. At close range it presents a charming 'colonial-style' building set in attractive surroundings.
   
   It would be difficult to extend this building without detracting from its existing character. It should therefore be retained in its current form, although restoration work may be required. It is essential that a viable use is found if the structure, which is primarily of wood, is not to deteriorate rapidly. Substantial internal alterations and works may be needed to meet current safety standards. The redevelopment of the adjacent buildings may assist in finding a suitable use that would allow the building to be retained in its present form.
   
8. The physiotherapy block is a recent and unfortunately designed low pitched building that detracts from the adjoining, original hospital building to the east. It is not very visible from a distance but has an unfortunate impact on the facade of the main hospital building from close quarters due to its shape and design.
   
   Although this building is relatively new, its reuse in its present form would be regrettable because of the adverse impact it has ou the group of hospital buildings as a whole. It is therefore suggested that this building could be demolished and replaced by a building within the existing 'footprint' and of a design sympathetic to the main buildings. Its use could compliment that of the main hospital building and provide a structure that would enable the timber framed hospital building to be converted to a viable alternative use. An alternative access to this building is available using the track to the south.
   
9. A small timber-clad bungalow with a metal roof lies on a raised site to the rear of the main hospital. It is sited on the edge of the raised wooded area (Area 11) but its impact on the area is reduced by it being single storey.
   
   Although raised above surrounding levels, this building enjoys good access and could provide adequate single-storey accommodation. It could also be used as holiday accommodation or act as a functional building in connection with the conversion of the hospital. Any redevelopment should use sympathetic materials and be single storey to avoid intrusion into the surrounding woodland. Alternatively, the existing building could be removed from this site and this area used in association with the redevelopment of the main hospital buildings.
   
10. There are a series of old timber sheds with an access drive along the western edge of the hospital grounds.
    
    This area is probably best suited for clearance to provide car parking for the main hospital building. Alternatively, they could remain as store sheds to serve the redevelopment.
    
11. The raised wooded area to the rear of the hospital contains small timber buildings previously used as 'convalescent chalets' in connection with the Sanatorium.
    
    Apart from the substantial building in the south east corner which houses the auxiliary generator, the existing buildings are fairly run down with awkward pedestrian and no direct vehicular access. Although the trees in this area are not in prime condition their situation and the natural topography make it a good amenity area in association with the main hospital buildings, and therefore it should be retained. The Council encourages the removal of the existing timber buildings in this area. The reuse of the buildings may be possible but significant redevelopment or replacement would not be acceptable.
    
12. This part of the site contains a woodland on a raised site sloping down to the hospital access road. It also provides an area of open space fronting two bungalows.
    
    This area should be retained as woodland.
    
13. This is a modern residential bungalow on a raised site and was previously used in connection with the hospital.
    
    The bungalow forms part of the primary use (Class C2: Residential Institutions of the Town and Country Planning [Use Classes] Order 1987, as amended) of the site and planning permission would be required for its use as a private dwelling. The creation of a curtilage within the surrounding grounds will also require planning permission. Any planning permission granted for a curtilage to this property will be conditioned to ensure that the character of the surrounding woodland is retained. An alternative access to the bungalow could be provided from the main hospital access road to the south, possibly in conjunction with areas 14 and 15 below.
    
14. This site contains a small bungalow, with no existing vehicular access, that was previously used in connection with the hospital.
    
    The bungalow forms part of the primary use (Class C2: Residential Institutions of the Town and Country Planning [Use Classes] Order 1987, as amended) of the site and planning permission would be required for its use as a private dwelling. With limited extensions, this bungalow could provide permanent residential or holiday accommodation. Any planning permission granted for a curtilage to this property will be conditioned to ensure that the character of the surrounding woodland is retained. A vehicular access drive could be created in conjunction with that to the adjoining bungalow (see area 13).
    
15. This is the site of the former night-nurse's home. This property is already in private residential use.
    
16. To the north and east of the hospital grounds is another wooded area.
    
    This area is to be retained as woodland, although there may be limited potential for some recreational use, possibly in association with the adjoining golf course.

Highways and Service Considerations

Highways

13

The Highway Authority advises potential developers that the following highway improvements will be required in connection with any changes of use of the former hospital:

• access for any redevelopment should be confined to Trunch Road;
• visibility splays of 215 m x 4.5 m will be required at the junction with Trunch Road with 10.5 m kerb radii;
• the access road should be provided with a 3 m minimum width tarmac running surface with inter-visible passing bays each having a width of 5.5 m. The access road will need to be widened to 5.5 m for a distance of at least 20 m from Trunch Road; and
• forward visibility on Trunch Road should be improved to 215 m.

Gas

14

There is an existing gas supply to the former hospital.

Foul Drainage and Water Supply

15

The former hospital is connected to the public sewer system and there is an existing mains water supply. The adequacy of the facilities will depend on the future use of the buildings and its eventual occupancy.

Electricity

16

High voltage electricity supplies are available to the site.