Fleetwood Hospital could become social housing hub

Fleetwood Hospital, on the corner of North Albert Street and Pharos Street, stood empty for a decade and fell into disrepair following its closure.

But after years of hard work from The Fleetwood Trust, development began on-site in February to transform parts of the building into community-focused facilities, including the Fleetwood Foodbank and the Mustard Seed Group, now ‘Faith in the Community’, which will provide food on a weekly basis to people in need.

Now Regenda Homes, the main social housing provider in Fleetwood, hopes to also settle down in the newly-refurbished building, according to a planning application submitted to Wyre Council.

Proposals have been made to transform the group’s existing offices, on Lord Street, into semi-sheltered apartments for older people, as they are ‘are no longer fit for purpose and have been outgrown’ due to the company’s continued investment in the town.

Steve Newsham, regional director of Regenda Homes, spent 15 months looking for a new home close to the town centre, with Fleetwood Hospital identified as the preferred option.

They said: “Fleetwood Hospital has been identified by Regenda Homes as the preferred location for new office premises and are looking at a rental space for 5000 sq. ft. This will generate rental income for the Fleetwood Trust to deliver its Hospital regeneration plans.

“Regenda Homes’ executive board have taken the decision to approve significant investment into the hospital for office fit out and to co-locate with the NHS and a range of other community services providers.”