Report this comment
  • "After a converstaion with a solicitor friend who specialises in property and land law, he confirms the point I made. The covenent was a "gift" made by the Baldwin family and, apparently, it can only be waived with the consent of representatives of the "donor." The current land owner does not have the power in law to remove it, nor does the Land Registry, and it is not affected by the NHS Act 1946.
    Interested parties in Stourport should challenge this development - might I suggest the Town Council might be interested?"
  • This field is mandatory
  • This field is mandatory

  • Please note we will not accept reports with HTML tags or URLs in them.


  • Enter the above word in the box below

Please be fair, courteous and respectful to the views of others so we can build a vibrant community in a safe online environment. You are personal liable for your comments and action will be taken against anyone who offends, ridicules or posts malicious and damaging views. If you wish to complain, please contact us.

Anger over covenant removal for Lucy Baldwin Hospital housing scheme

8:50am Thursday 26th April 2012 in News Photograph of the Author By William Tomaney

'Very sad': The majority of the Lucy Baldwin Hospital buildings will make way for new homes. 'Very sad': The majority of the Lucy Baldwin Hospital buildings will make way for new homes.

ANGRY Stourport residents say they did not know a covenant on the Lucy Baldwin Hospital site had been removed, paving the way for a housing development.

Taylor Wimpey unveiled plans for 37 new homes and four apartments on land off Olive Grove at the Brinton Arms last Thursday.

During the event, several puzzled residents said a covenant was placed on the land in 1931 by Julien Cahn, who bought the property and gave it as a gift to Lucy Baldwin, wife of then-Prime Minister Stanley Baldwin.

The agreement states the site “shall at all times hereafter be used primarily as a maternity hospital and secondarily for such maternity and child welfare work.”

A spokesman for Worcestershire Health and Care NHS Trust, however, said it was made ineffective by the NHS Act 1946.

“Last year, we asked the Land Registry to remove the covenants and this change was effected,” he added.

Stourport resident Jon Cooper, born at the hospital in 1967, said: “The Lucy Baldwin story is fantastic and we believed the land was donated to the people of Stourport as a maternity unit.

“It has been allowed to become run down, which is very sad. It has been dealt with very ungraciously considering the good intentions it was built with.”

Under the housing scheme, existing buildings would make way for 12 three and four-bedroom detached houses and a mix of two and three bedroom semi-detached and terraced houses.

One proposal would convert the existing lodge building into four onebedroom apartments. Another design, less popular at the event, would demolish all existing buildings. Plans sparked mixed reaction from residents and visitors.

William Detorre, of the Ridgeway, said: “I am glad something is being done as it is prone to vandalism but I am worried about my privacy. Only seven of the hundreds of trees will remain untouched.”

Debbie Price, of Olive Grove, said she was concerned about roads around the development not being wide enough.

A spokesman for Taylor Wimpey said the feedback would help shape proposals before a planning application was submitted “in about a month”.

Local Businesses

About cookies

We want you to enjoy your visit to our website. That's why we use cookies to enhance your experience. By staying on our website you agree to our use of cookies. Find out more about the cookies we use.

I agree