3.1

Since the adoption of the local plan in June 2001, there have been changes in the management and control of the land which is the subject of
this development brief. It is considered that these changes need to be addressed in formulating a preferred development framework for the area.

3.2

Firstly, the future ownership of all of the NHS Executive land and buildings assets will be released to the market over the next 3-5 years as part of a Public Private Partnership (PPP). This will involve the release of about 120 hospitals, asylums and redundant parcels of land nationwide, many of which lie in urban areas. It is expected therefore that a joint venture group will be established to form a new profit-sharing company known as Inventures. This company will be responsible for the marketing of the land and buildings on the Shelton/Racecourse Lane site.

3.3

A second factor, which represents a significant change to the local plan scenario is the decommissioning of elements of the Shelton Hospital complex in favour of a new Mental Health Unit to be built on adjoining land. At the present time, it is anticipated that the land required for the new unit will be about 2.3 hectares.

3.4

As a result of the closure of Shelton Hospital, the opportunity arises to seek alternative uses for the Grade II listed structure which has its origins in the Victorian period. However, it should be acknowledged that more recent additions/extensions to the hospital, particular to the south of the complex, will be retained.

3.5

A third and final factor which has altered the land use pattern in the area is the westerly extension to the RHS (North) hospital campus. This expansion has principally involved the creation of additional staff parking and lighting but has resulted in the loss of about half of the "greenspace" designated in the adopted local plan under Policy LNC4.