Former Leeds hospital transformed into 30 homes

A former hospital near Leeds dating back to Victorian times has been transformed to create 30 new homes.

Stonewater worked with contractor Vistry Partnerships and other partners to transform Cookridge House into desperately needed affordable homes.

The striking gothic building fell derelict after closing in 2007 when its facilities were transferred to St James’s Hospital in Leeds.

Work involved refurbishing the building, transforming it into 24 homes – five one-bedroom flats, five two-bedroom flats, five two-bedroom town houses and one four-bedroom town house – for social rent, plus eight two-bedroom town houses for shared ownership.

An additional six two-bedroom houses were built around the original building, available for shared ownership.

Each house benefits from its own private garden, allocated parking spaces and access to a communal garden, all amid landscaped grounds.

To create a real sense of place for residents and locals, the scheme also features public artwork reflecting the area and its history, including decorative metalwork by a Yorkshire artist and an information lectern telling the old hospital building’s story in words and pictures.

‘We recognise the acute need for affordable homes in Yorkshire and Cookridge House is the first scheme Stonewater has delivered in the north utilising £1.23m funding from its strategic partnership with Homes England,’ said Stonewater’s director of development (North and East), Chris Montague.

‘Cookridge House is part of a thriving community created by the wider development of the old hospital site, which includes family housing, special needs education, retirement living and elderly care accommodation.

‘Having worked closely with Leeds City Council to ensure the development was carried out sympathetically and sensitively to make the most of the building’s architectural features. We’re proud to have delivered these modern, comfortable homes to people who need them most, whilst also boosting the local economy, helping with the area’s social and financial recovery as we emerge from the coronavirus pandemic.’