THE first of 600 new homes being built on the old Lea Castle Hospital site in Kidderminster are set to be completed in January.
The £137 million development won't be completely finished for another eight years, however national housebuilder Linden Homes has confirmed the first batch of new residents will be able to move in at the start of 2021.
Park Gate will include a mix of two, three and four-bedroom homes and interest in the new properties is already reported to be high.
The entire development is reported to include 240 affordable homes – 59 social rent, 100 affordable rent and 81 shared ownership, plus 360 outright sale through a joint venture with Vistry Homes.
Linda Huntington, head of sales at Linden West Midlands, said: “We are extremely excited for our upcoming development in Kidderminster.
“Park Gate has been carefully designed to ensure that there is a house for everyone, from first-time buyers, to people looking to upsize for more space and even those planning to downsize to a smaller home.
“We are expecting a high-level of interest, so I would urge any prospective buyers to register their interest in our lovely new homes via our website.”
Lea Castle Hospital, which was previously a mental health unit, treated and assessed more than 600 people in its heyday in the 1960s and boasted facilities including a hydrotherapy pool and dental clinic.
It was used as a military camp in the Second World War and the site was occupied by the Royal Army Pay Corps until 1960.
The hospital closed its doors in 2008, despite campaigning from groups including the Lea Castle Action Group.
The 49-hectare site was run by Coventry and Warwickshire Partnership NHS Trust and employed 187 people before the closure was announced.
The future of Lea Castle had been uncertain for many years, with rumours circulating that it could be redeveloped as a science business park, a prison or a traveller’s site.
It also became a target for metal thieves.
Some of the buildings remained in use until 2014.
The hospital buildings have since been demolished and sports grounds, play areas and natural open space will be created as part of the new development.
Homes at Park Gate will be available to purchase through the government-backed Help to Buy scheme with a five per cent deposit.
For more information, call 01562 569 447 or visit lindenhomes.co.uk/developments/worcestershire/park-gate-kidderminster.
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