PRESS RELEASE

This document from consultants King Sturge unleashes the current re-development intentions on to an unsuspecting public.

Press Release: 30 July 2001 Cliveden Hospital site to be redeveloped The old Cliveden Hospital, situated in the grounds of historic Cliveden, north of the village of Taplow in South Bucks, is to be redeveloped as a model residential scheme. The Astor family originally built the hospital, which was run by the Canadian Red Cross during both World Wars. The site was given to the National Trust by Lord Astor to provide part of the endowment for the future of the estate. The NHS took over use of the buildings after the war, which provided the National Trust with valuable income until the NHS vacated the buildings in 1986. Now the run down and empty buildings will form part of a regeneration scheme which will turn the site into a small sustainable village, which will include up to 200 housing units. The Trust seeks to develop the site sensitively, and to ensure a financial return to the Cliveden Estate, which will support the long term aims and objectives of the National Trust for the whole estate. Last year, URBED (Urban and Economic Development Group), who provide research and consultancy for regeneration projects, was appointed by the National Trust to draw up a master plan for the site. In keeping with ‘The South Bucks Local Plan’, any new development on this site would need to be in keeping with the surroundings. The National Trust, which owns the land inalienably, has instructed international property consultants, King Sturge to find a suitable developer. Expressions of interest by developers, funders, architects, those in a specialist field such as sustainability, water recycling, energy conservation and others are being sought, to respond by 6th August 2001. Final proposals for the search for a developer will be submitted to the National Trust by November 2001. The National Trust is expected to conclude its deliberations by January 2002. In the interest of preservation of the heritage of the site, any interested party must meet certain criteria. Nigel Bennett, partner of King Sturge Residential said, “Due to the sensitivity of the historic and landscaped environment at Cliveden, there are three major points any potential developer needs to fulfil. The new development should have a lesser footprint than the existing development. The development needs to incorporate substantial landscaping and it must conform with latest government policies.” Nicholas Falk of URBED, who drew up the masterplan for the Cliveden Hospital site said, “From our assessment and consultation with local groups and residents, we believe that the scheme should be a 21st century version of an estate village and integrated within its historic context. To achieve this there should be a mix of housing types, built with quality materials and applying the latest thinking on sustainability.” Julia Simpson, Area Manager for the Thames Valley & Oxfordshire National Trust said, “The National Trust’s objectives for the Cliveden Hospital site are to seek a financial return that will ensure the upkeep of the Cliveden Estate for the long term. In seeking this objective The National Trust will have regard also of its social and environmental responsibilities and the unique setting of Cliveden. The purpose of the selection process is to identify a developer’s proposal that best matches these objectives.” For the brochure see our property listing for Cliveden Hospital.