Sale of old Papworth Hospital site falls through
The sale of the old Papworth Hospital site to Global Healthcare Real Estate Limited has fallen through.
The decision follows a failure by the purchaser to meet the legal and financial requirements of the agreed contract, Royal Papworth Hospital NHS Foundation Trust has confirmed today (Monday, December 16).
The 13-acre site in Papworth Everard will continue to be used by Cambridgeshire Constabulary and Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service for training purposes while it is remarketed.
Stephen Posey, chief executive of the trust, said: “We are very disappointed the sale of our old Papworth Everard site has fallen through. The hospital has worked diligently over the past months to conclude the deal and have waited patiently for several weeks beyond an already extended deadline. However it has become clear the buyer was unable to meet the requirements of the contract and any extension of the deadline would not resolve the problem.”
Global Healthcare Real Estate Ltd, chaired by investor and entrepreneur Grace Bian, had proposed to build a five-star health and wellness village on the site comprising a country club and spa, convalescence and rehabilitation units, villas, and apartments.
The trust also confirmed today that it has secured the sale of Queen Mary’s nurse’s home and it expects to complete the sale of St Peter’s nurse’s home by Christmas.
It is envisioned that these buildings, which were off the main site and used to house nursing staff, will be converted into flats by the respective developers.
Mr Posey continued: “We understand the frustration people will feel when they hear this news. We were as keen as the local parish council, businesses and residents to secure the future of our old site. The land will now be remarketed and we look forward to seeing the proposals which are put forward.
“There has been good news in the sale of the Queen Mary’s and St Peter’s nurses’ homes which are planned to be converted into small flats. These will become a valuable addition to the housing stock in the village. As we have promised throughout this process, we will continue to ensure residents and the council in Papworth Everard are kept fully up to date with any future news.”
