New Berwick hospital stripped back after building defects found

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 18 Oct, 23:07 · Archive

A £35 million Berwick Community Hospital is being dismantled to its steel frame after construction defects were discovered. The facility was intended to replace a Victorian hospital in the town's historic conservation area.

Residents have strongly criticised the development. Tom Young, 78, who lives in a fisherman's cottage backing onto the site and is the seventh generation of his family to live there, said the six-year construction process had 'destroyed years' of his life. He described it as 'a nightmare' residents were 'living through', with the building's windows overlooking his bedroom.

Young argued the hospital should never have been built in the sensitive conservation area, citing concerns about privacy and traffic on unsuitable narrow roads. He noted the original Victorian hospital had 130 beds while the new facility will have only 20 beds and 14 consulting rooms, questioning the development's sense. The Mirror reports that costs have risen from £25 million to £35 million, with potentially another £15 million required for repairs.

How it is being reported

• 'Our homes are dwarfed by hospital that looks like a giant cigarette bin'Berwick Community Hospital has attracted fury with some locals claiming the building is "not fit for purpose" and a "nightmare" they had to live through as it was being constructedThe Mirror · 18 Oct, 22:58
• Residents of picturesque town left living in shadow of 'monstrous' £35million hospital that 'looks like a giant cigarette bin'The brand new Berwick Community Hospital is now being stripped back to its steel skeleton after building work was found to be sub-standard.Daily Mail · 18 Oct, 15:51

In this story: Berwick Community Hospital · Tom Young · Berwick

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