Edwardian former mental hospital saved from demolition

A model Edwardian hospital of 1900 designed by London architects Giles Gough and Trollope set in rolling green fields on the lower slopes of the Brecon Beacons National Park has been saved from demolition by the unanimous vote of members of the planning committee of the National Park Authority. For over ten years the handsome stone-built hospital buildings have looked increasingly doomed as they have been vandalised and left to rot.

SAVE has given strong support to a gathering band of local campaigners, Mid-Wales Hospital Adjacent Adjoining Neighbours Group (MWHAANG), arguing that numerous purpose-built Victorian and Edwardian mental hospitals have been successfully converted to new uses, both as houses and apartments and as complete village communities.

SAVE President Marcus Binney says: ‘The nation’s disused mental hospitals have been the focus of one of our longest and most sustained campaigns. Many were designed like Talgarth, by leading architects, very well built of very excellent materials and sited on south-facing slopes to enjoy maximum fresh air and sunlight. All over Britain, one developer after another has proved they can be successfully converted.’

The Talgarth Hospital buildings are laid out on an usual stepped plan which has been likened to an old-fashioned ‘three penny bit’. The two-storey buildings have generous windows potentially providing lovely views over rolling hills and secluded courtyards.

Now plans for demolition have been rejected SAVE plans to draw up a new scheme for a village community, taking advantage of the former hospital’s lovely situation and to find new developers who have a track record of converting hospitals.

Rhiannon Wicks, Deputy Director of SAVE said ‘Though we made a very strong case for listing the building the refusal of demolition has ultimately rested on its inclusion in the Talgarth Conservation Area which was specially extended to protect this lovely group of buildings.’

To watch a You Tube film about the site click here

To read more visit MWHAANG’s Facebook campaign page

For further press information and images, please contact SAVE Deputy Director, Rhiannon Wicks on 0207 253 3500 or on office@savebritainsheritage.org

Marcus Binney, SAVE President: 07973 802648

Niel Bally, Chairman, MWHAANG: 01874 711212

Notes for Editors:

SAVE Britain’s Heritage has been campaigning for historic buildings since its formation in 1975 by a group of architects, journalists and planners. It is a strong, independent voice in conservation, free to respond rapidly to emergencies and to speak out loud for the historic built environment.

Press release issued by SAVE Britain’s Heritage, 70 Cowcross Street, London EC1M 6EJ. Registered Charity 269129

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