West Park Hospital, Epsom

Client: Epsom Cluster LLP (Galliford Try & Crest Nicholson JV)

Role: Masterplanning, Architecture & Landscape to RIBA Stage D

West Park Hospital was designed by William C. Clifford Smith & opened in 1924. It was one of five hospitals built by the LCC’s Asylum Committee, known as the Epsom Cluster of Hospitals and developed on the most progressive lines of the time, accommodating some 12,000 patients.

It is seen as one of the best surviving examples of the cluster, based on the classic horseshoe shaped (or echelon format) asylum design. The site has thus been designated a Conservation Area and the distinctive water tower has been granted Grade II listed building status. The development will particularly benefit from a series of ‘airing courts’ containing mature tree planting and attractive timber and glass pavilion buildings also to be retained.

PRP is appointed to submit reserved matters planning, conservation area and listed building applications for the complete redevelopment of the site. Our scheme develops upon a masterplan by others that has been granted outline planning approval and forms part of Epsom & Ewell Borough Council’s development brief for all the hospitals, facilitated as part of English Partnerships ‘Hospital Sites Programme’.

The converted ward and administration buildings are to accommodate 91 new dwellings, of a total 360 that are to be constructed across the site as a whole, together with a new 100-150 bedroom hotel and conference facility. The converted residential accommodation is to at least target the ECO Homes ‘Very Good’ standard and will be connected to a site wide biomass CHP district heating scheme, for which the listed tower will conceal the necessary chimney.