Members of our volunteer Heritage Watch Group and Planning Committee recently had the opportunity of a guided tour around the former Cookridge Hospital site to see its remarkable redevelopment. The tour was kindly led by owners and Leeds Civic Trust corporate members Pullans and Chartford Homes.
Constructed in a secluded clearing in part of Ireland Wood and on an elevated site that affords extensive views, including to Emley Moor, the ‘Hospital for the Convalescent Poor in Leeds’ opened in 1869 with the now listed main building and lodge designed by notable architect Norman Shaw of London’s Scotland Yard fame.
In 1888, a second set of buildings opened, the Ida Hospital, named in touching memory of Ida North by her father. Further similar buildings were added in 1905 and named after another benefactor, Robert Arthington.
The buildings mainly functioned as longer-term convalescent facilities for patients treated in other Leeds hospitals, and were used for the care of wounded servicemen during both World Wars. The whole complex was taken over by the government in 1939 and became part of the NHS in 1952. It began treating cancer patients in 1956 and developed into a major regional centre for radiotherapy until closing in 2007 upon completion of the Bexley Wing at St James’s Hospital.
By the time Pullan’s acquired the site for housing, it was becoming significantly damaged by theft and vandalism. During the course of the visit, we were thoroughly briefed by Mark Pullan and Mathew Fuller on the considerable trials and tribulations associated with the project, leaving us all considerably better informed as to the many hurdles that have to be overcome in development generally, but particularly when attempting sympathetic re-purposing of listed structures is involved.
Nevertheless, it was clear to all that the effort has been extremely worthwhile, delivering an extremely pleasant mixed tenure housing development that includes provision of a specialist school for autistic children and sheltered housing.
The site now includes:
- 159 new homes
- 106 affordable homes provided in partnership with Housing & Care 21, Stonewater and Leeds & Yorkshire Housing Association
- Conversion of the Main Hospital Building into 14 houses, 10 apartments and 6 additional new-build homes for Stonewater
- Redevelopment of the Ida Wing as a 64-bed Extra Care scheme operated by Housing & Care 21, providing high-quality later-life accommodation
- The Arthington Wing, now home to the Lighthouse School, supporting children with autism with dedicated specialist education provision
- 12 new-build apartments created for Leeds & Yorkshire Housing Association
