Saving Atkinson Morley's Hospital Green Space
 and Working for a Greener London

Council Planning Brief

Morley Park Trust Business Plan

Plan it for Real

Transport and
Footpath

Update 16th June 2010

Berkeley Homes have now purchased the AMH site from Laguna Quays and are reviewing the existing planning application, which was submitted by St. George's NHS Trust and approved in 2005 (as described below). Berkeley Homes are considering submitting a new planning application by the end of the year for a residential scheme which is more in keeping with the character of the local area.

A public meeting was held on 16th June to elicit the views of local residents. Click here for a summary of the meeting and next steps.

LUNG will be seeking an overall framework that develops the site sympathetically in accordance with local wishes and protects the whole of the MOL.

Update 14th March 2010

 The application submitted by Laguna Quays was was approved subject to a section 106 agreement  as indicated below, but negotiations have never been completed.  We have recently heard that Berkeley Homes are now interested in the site. 

In the meantime the site has been sadly neglected. Our local MP and the Council are well aware of the unacceptable state of the site and the Council are investigating what action can be taken.

LUNG will continue its efforts to ensure the open land is protected from development, that a footpath through the site is provided, that there is continued public access to the open land, and that the development along Copse Hill is of high quality.

Update from Nick Smith, Chairman of Lung, 20 March 2009

It has been some time since LUNG has sent a message to local residents about what is happening on the Atkinson Morley site. There is good reason for this. We had nothing concrete to report. As you will remember, in December 2007, Laguna Quay's application to build a private hospital on the AMH site  and to refurbish the nurses' flats on the Firs site came before the Planning Committee who approved it subject to the satisfactory completion of a Section 106 agreement between Merton Council and Laguna Quays. The Section 106 agreement has still not been agreed.

LUNG recently approached our local MP, Stephen Hammond, and asked him to ascertain where things stood with the AMH planning application. He has sent us a letter dated 17 February 2009 that he received from Sarah Tanburn at Merton Council which you can read by clicking on the link below. Until such time as the Section 106 agreement has been agreed and the builders start on the site though, there is no absolute certainty that this scheme will go ahead.

Merton Council letter of 17 February 2009

Residents have raised concerns about the state of the various parts of the AMH site and the potential health hazards it poses. If you wish to express your views about the current state of the 200 bus stop and other areas of the site, we suggest that you write to Sarah Tarnburn at Merton Council (email: sarah.tanburn@merton.gov.uk; direct line 020 8545 3083).

Planning Approval for private hospital approved 13th December 2007

Planning application 07/P1347 was approved at Merton Council's Planning Committee on 13th December  2007. The minutes of the meeting have now been published. The application for a private hospital was approved subject to additional conditions:

http://www.merton.gov.uk/democratic_services/ds-agendas/ds-archived_reports/_7000-7999/7210.pdf

The minutes confirm our understanding of the extra conditions, and additional items in the S106 agreement  The precise wording on all of this has been left to the Chairman and Deputy Chairman of the Planning Committee but, as minuted:

Additions to S106 heads of terms
(i) Special arrangements for the scouts to have access to the playing fields/open land (THEY WOULD OTHERWISE HAVE TO PAY THE GOING RATE FOR ANY REGULAR  OR BOOKED USE); and
(ii) arrangements for the general public to have access to the playing fields/open land (THIS IS INTENDED TO COVER CASUAL, UNBOOKED ENJOYMENT OF THE AREA)

Amendments to the conditions;            
Extra condition(s) requiring the improvements to the MOL (Metropolitan Open Land) to be implemented simultaneously with the reopening of the hospital (CRITICAL TO ENSURE THE IMPROVEMENTS TO THE MOL ACTUALLY HAPPEN)

Additional conditions:
- Path available 24 hours but unlit
- 1.5 mature trees to be planted for every one removed

Amendments to the reasons for approval:
The Committee agreed that, subject to the details being agreed further to the delegation in NB (7) below, the Reasons for Approval be amended to clarify the Committee recognises that the proposed development involves further intrusion into the MOL (Metropolitan Open Land), but considers that there are exceptional circumstances in this specific case, namely the proposed use being for hospital purposes and the development including the removal of various existing buildings located within the MOL land. (THIS MIGHT PROVIDE SOME PROTECTION FROM FURTHER INTRUSIONS INTO OPEN LAND IF THERE ARE ANY FURTHER APPLICATIONS)

We feel we did pretty well to achieve the above but as always there are several 'buts':
- the approved plans might not be implemented.
- the exact wording of the conditions and S106 heads of terms are still to be agreed


Link to the Merton planning applications web-site
http://planning.merton.gov.uk:80/MVM/Online/PL/NotDecidedSearch.aspx

How to find the Laguna Quays planning applications on the Merton applications web-site:
1) select 'Copse hill' as the street. The AMH applications currently appear near the top of the list
    (Reference numbers 07/P1344 and 07/P1347)
2) Click on one of the AMH application reference numbers for an overview; then go to the bottom of the application page and   select "view related documents" -- this gives access to the full set of planning application documents

Direct links to some of the key drawings:

• Plan 04: the site layout
• Plan 07: proposed hospital elevations
• Plan 12: fertility unit front elevation
• Plan 20: proposed hospital ground floor

BACKGROUND 

The land and buildings of the Atkinson Morley’s Hospital, as well as surrounding land owned by the St. George’s NHS Trust, were identified as surplus and it was decided they should be sold or otherwise disposed of.

A total of 23 acres (8.85 hectares) was declared surplus to requirements.  A substantial portion of this, an area of 17 acres (6.99 hectares), appears unsuitable for development, as it is designated as a Conservation Area and Metropolitan Open Land (MOL) under the Unitary Development Plan which is followed by the London Borough of Merton in matters of planning consent.  In addition,  approximately 3 acres of the MOL portion is also designated as a Site of Importance for Nature Conservation (SINC).  

Merton Council's latest Planning Brief for the AMH site was approved in July 2003, replacing the earlier Chapter 9 Annex to the Unitary Development Plan which was then adopted in October 2003..  The Planning Brief constitutes formal Supplementary Planning Guidance, and should be taken into account by owners, potential developers and all other interested parties when considering opportunities for future use of the site.

LUNG's vision for Morley Park
LUNG's committee have drafted a vision for the open land that attempts to take into account

• what people have told us at public meetings

• the messages from the Planning for Real exercise

• what we have learned from other examples where public land has been transferred to Development Trusts to manage the facilities for the benefit of the community

• the need to ensure the scheme is financially viable

LUNG's Business Plan for the Morley Park Trust
The Wimbledon Society, the Residents’ Association of West Wimbledon, and the North West Wimbledon Residents’ Association engaged in numerous discussions with a wide range of interested parties regarding potential future ownership, management and use of various portions of the MOL site, together with issues relating to funding needs and sources.

In April 1999, the above organisations submitted to the Atkinson Morley Task Force, the St. George’s Healthcare NHS Trust, and the London Borough of Merton, a draft proposal and business plan for the areas designated as Metropolitan Open Land.  The most appropriate and broadly acceptable solution was considered to be a privately funded public park (owned by a charitable trust) for the benefit of the community and local wildlife.  

The Morley Park Trust Ltd (MPT) was established, and a team of specialist volunteers, led by Philip Black, put together a new business plan which addresses both the capital costs of setting up the Park and the running costs into the future.

The team were helped by considerable professional input from Merton Council, the Wimbledon Conservators, and others in regard to costings for the upgrade and maintenance of the woodland areas and playing fields. They also explored partnerships that could defray costs to the MPT for such areas as the playing fields, as well as outlining income potential for the site, in keeping with the principles that have already been set out.

Transport  and Footpath
The path is also part of an important pedestrian route linking Copse Hill to Raynes Park. Maintaining the path through the site is central to LUNG’s vision for the future of the site. This is essential to provide ease of access for residents living both to the north and the south of the park, and especially for young families living to the north of the site where there is no public playground for children.  The footpath was temporarily closed but has now been reopened 

The AMH site is also on the 200 bus route which goes from Mitcham to Raynes Park via Wimbledon Town and Village.  There is currently a turning circle for the bus on the Hospital site, by the Copse Hill entrance.  This bus service is currently much used by both hospital staff and local residents. LUNG has conducted a survey to establish patterns of use, and residents’ views about what should happen to this bus service when the hospital closes.
 

St. George's Trust planning applications:

First planning applications August 2003:
On 4th August 2003, the NHS Trust submitted four planning applications. Click here for a summary including diagrams, and LUNG's observations. 

Revised planning application November 2004:
The Trust submitted a planning application November 2004 which was met with vigorous opposition from local residents, and LUNG raised a number of significant concerns and questions.

Final planning applications approved October 2005:
Following the defeat of planning applications in August 2003 and November 2004, St. George's Trust submitted a further Planning Application December 2004. Further protests from the community resulted in amendments in August 2005. The amended application was approved in October 2005
 

Sale of the Atkinson Morley site announced April 2006
St. George's Trust puts Atkinson Morley site on the market November 2005. Having obtained planning permission despite vigorous objections from LUNG and others, St Georges immediately marketed the AMH site in November 2005.
Developers had until Tuesday 20^th December 2005 to submit sealed bids. Some interested parties, as part of their preparations, discussed with us what the local sensitivities are and others completely ignored local discussion prior to the bid being made. Obviously LUNG had no formal role in this process, but it is worrying that many interested parties did not think it worth the discussion.

The sale of The Atkinson Morley's site, which includes The Firs flats but excludes the Wolfson Rehabilitation Unit took took place April 2006. St. George's Trust announced that the Atkinson Morley and Firs sites were sold for a total of £20m to a private developer named Laguna Quays Ltd.  The Trust's share of the sale was £15.1m, of which £11.5m must be returned to the Strategic Health Authority to pay off a loan that helped fund the new wing at St. George's Hospital, and £3.3M will be applied to improve St. George's finances. http://www.stgeorges.nhs.uk/docs/StGeorgesGazette/GazetteIssue17.pdf

Who are Laguna Quays? (October 2006)
The change of ownership of the AMH site has been recorded at the Land Registry, and LUNG has obtained a copy of the registration document (summary of key points attached). The new owner's name is confirmed as Laguna Quays, registered in the Virgin Islands.  Mr. Homer (Chief Executive) signed the document on behalf of the St Georges NHS Trust, and there were two signatories from Laguna Quays, whose names have been witheld from the public document. This is very unusual and leaves us wondering what it is about the purchase that these two people don't want their names to be associated with and what influence they have to achieve this secrecy. It is also interesting that the NHS have taken a 2-year lease from Laguna Quays for 27 parking places close to Cottenham Park Road for the use of the Wolfson Rehabilitation Unit.

This gives rise to a number of questions, among them:
- the duration of the Wolfson's continued stay on the site
- the length of time that the owners will take before deciding on future uses, if any.

Laguna Quays exhibition of new draft proposals April 2007
Laguna Quays Ltd issued an open invitation to view draft proposals for redevelopment of the Atkinson Morley Hospital site at Christ Church Hall, 16 Copse Hill, Wimbledon on Monday 2nd April between 2.00-9.00pm.

LUNG wishes to thank everyone who attended the exhibition and those of you who have shared their views with us. The views
expressed were mixed on the merits of the proposals for the built element of the scheme.  Many preferred the new Laguna Quays proposals for the built development to the previously-approved St Georges application; some were disappointed at the lack of housing provision, but most welcomed a return to use as a hospital.  However most also expressed concerns about the
infringements of buildings and parking on metropolitan open land, the lack of any guarantees for the long term future use of the open land and public access to it, and the rerouting of the north/south path.  Another very common concern was the total lack of information on who Laguna Quays are. Those presenting the scheme at the exhibition were not from Laguna Quays but were architectural advisors and doctors employed by them as consultants. LUNG has written to Laguna Quays via their solicitors expressing these concerns and asking that a mechanism be devised to guarantee the restoration, maintenance and use of the Atkinson Morley open land. 
Letter from LUNG to Laguna Quays (07.05.07)
PROPOSED COMMENT ON LAGUNA QUAYS SCHEME

New planning application submitted by Laguna Quays (May 2007)

Laguna Quays Ltd. submitted a planning application to Merton Council on 24th May 2007 for redevelopment of the main hospital building as a private hospital specialising in fertility, paediatrics and maternity services. The Firs buildings will be developed fro re-use as staff and visitor accommodation. See attached an update setting out LUNG's point of view.

Public Meeting to discuss latest developments (September 2007)

The meeting on 26th September 2007, at Christ Church Hall, Cottenham Park Road, was chaired by Village Ward Councillors, and was also attended by Stephen Hammond MP. Representatives of Laguna Quays distributed a handout in response to the flyer circulated by LUNG, RAWW and NWWRA expressing a number of concerns

At the meeting, the community were supportive of the proposal to use the site for a private hospital but expressed strong concerns about the proposals for the open land, especially the fencing of the proposed rerouted path on both sides and the lack of informal access to the open land. Council officers stated that their recommendations for the open land and the requirements relating to the open land that should go into a section 106 agreement.  They invited local residents to submit their proposals for the open land facilities, public access and footpath design.

Revised planning application (October 2007)

Laguna Quays Limited submitted a revised planning application making small amendments to the proposals for the hospitals buildings. Read the letter from Nick Smith, Chairman of LUNG, for more information and details of how to respond to these proposals. See instructions above on how to access the plans and associated documents