Whittingham Asylum

Quite a lot of history here but the asylum has had an interesting life, and continues to do so, with it's future still very uncertain.
Read more about the sites possible future after the report....

A lot of the info here came from a excellent site whose author is an ex-staff member here.

He has been extremely helpful (cheers Ken) and his site is very comprehensive - pay him a visit at:

>>"Asylum" Whittingham Hospital<<

Whittingham Hospital/Lancashire County Mental Hospital

Date Opened: 1st April 1873(Founded by the Lancashire Asylums Board)

Date Closed: 1995

Location: near Preston, Lancashire

Architect: Henry Littler of Manchester, Architect to the Lancashire Asylums Board

Layout: Corridor- Pavilion Plan in radial format
annexe in Corridor (courtyard) plan, further annexes in Compact arrow plan

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In 1866, the three Lancashire lunatic asylums at Prestwich, Rainhill and Lancaster were deemed to be full.

From "The Builder" 1869 Vol XXVII pp373 8th May 1869

New Lunatic Asylum for Lancashire - Whittingham
At Preston a special meeting of the magistrates of Lancashire has been held to consider the
propriety of erecting another lunatic asylum for the county.
It was stated that authority had been obtained by the General Finance Committee to purchase a site in Whittingham, near Preston, and that one of the instructions of the committee was that the asylum should accommodate 1,000 patients.
The cost would be £20,000. It was resolved that a committee be appointed to provide an additional asylum, and that £20,000 be borrowed on the county rates for the purpose.

Building work started in 1869, originally to accommodate 1000 patients, from designs by Mr. Henry Littler, architect of Manchester, and was finished in 1873
at a cost of £338,300 (slightly over the £20,000 estimate then LOL) The asylum was officially opened on 1st April 1873.
It was built from brick made from clay dug on site from a pit which later became a fish pond. One the plans it is also
called the fish pond but has become known as the duck pond.

The bricks were fired in a kiln on site too, housed  in what is known "Super's Hill Woods", at the back of the hospital.

In 1913 the hospital could accommodate 1079 male patients and 1035 female patients.

Additional buildings were erected between the years 1897-1900, including hospital for Infectious Diseases.
Within the grounds which initially covered a site of 60 acres, was a Church, consisting of chancel, nave, aisles, and a tower.
The contract for the erection of a Church and a Chaplain's house was awarded in September 1871, estimated costings being £4,632.00 and £1,579. 8s 2d respectively. The church is called St.John's and is the only listed building on the site. It has hot water heated by gas, and an organ was purchased at a cost of £250.

Whittingham Hospital, whose grounds adjoin the village of Goosnargh, grew to be the largest mental hospital in the country, eventually covering 147 acres, and pioneered the use of electroencephalograms (EEGs). By 1923, the hospital was known as “Whittingham Mental Hospital”.

By 1939, the number of patients was 3533, with a staff of 548, making it the largest mental hospital in the country.
By 1948, it had incorporated Ribchester Hospital, and became known as “Whittingham Hospital” under the NHS.

The large site included an Anglican church(St.John's), a Catholic chapel(within the main building), a recreation hall (also used as a ballroom), several farms, gas works, a post office and a butchers.
There was also a brewery on site at one time and part of the workers wage was alcohol! The daily diet of patients and staff included one glass of Ale.

The Railway
The Whittingham Hospital Railway was a two-mile private branch to Grimsargh, built in 1887, to provide coal and supplies to the asylum. It also provided free transport for staff and visitors. With declining economic circumstances, the line closed to all traffic on 19th June 1957 following the 7:20 pm service from Grimsargh to Whittingham. Mr G. Wright, who had spent his entire working life as a driver on the Whittingham Hospital Railway was at the controls

At the end of the first World War, a part of the hospital (later known as “St Margaret’s Division”) was used as a military hospital. It was again used for this purpose during the second World War.

There are five war graves in the cemetery, four from the first World War and one from the second World War.

The Mental Health Act of 1960 deemed large institutions like Whittingham to be out of favour and ultimately led to it's closure.
Allegations of cruelty to patients in the 60's led to a public inquiry.

In the 70's and 80's new drugs and treatments were developed and many long term patients were returned to the community or sent to smaller units in the area.

The hospital eventually closed in 1995.

It is planned to build 650 new homes on the site and to preserve some of the hospital buildings as apartments.
However, the plan is facing numerous difficulties, see the section after the photos for more info....

Visited - 02/04/2009

12 September 2007
CONTROVERSIAL plans for the area's largest housing and light industrial development for decades were due to be submitted this week.
Developers of the former site of Whittingham Hospital - Taylor Wimpey (until recently Taylor Woodrow) - were expected to submit their outline application - believed to be for 650 new homes on the 147 acre site.

Published Date: 26 February 2008
RESIDENTS have repeated their concerns over resubmitted plans for the former site of Whittingham Hospital, claiming the developers are continuing to ignore them.
On Monday evening it was revealed developers Taylor Wimpey want to push for 350 new homes before the start of the Broughton bypass, all aspects of the latest application and lack of consultation with the community came under fire once again.
In latest plans for the site, Taylor Wimpey either want to build 250 new homes before work starts on the bypass or 350 if they carry out alterations and improvements at Broughton traffic lights.
Preston Council refused outline plans for the site in January and the resubmission reduces housing from 650 to 610; increases the number of affordable homes from 50 to 70 and also proposes a purpose built sports and social club to replace the existing Whittingham and Goosnargh Sports and Social Club.
Concerned residents were updated on the latest plans by Preston planning officer Dave Linley at Monday's meeting during which they again expressed fears over the mix of mental health and housing with still no firm plans to move The Hermitage rehabilitation unit - which sits close to planned sporting and social facilities and primary school outside the perimeter of Guild Lodge.
They also voiced concerns over traffic issues and the traffic survey; lack of car parking on the site; the layout of the central area of the site; plans for St John's Church to become a community centre; plans for the sports and social club; youth facilities; public crossings; accident blackspots; the proposed community trust; the eco and sustainable credentials of the proposed housing; the planned orchard and more.
Up to 40 people were invited to have their say during the extraordinary meeting called by Whittingham Parish Council.
Peter Parkinson said the developers were "going around in ever decreasing circles" and pointed out no approach had been made to the club over the proposed new offer, or its siting.
"This has been going on for years and years. It is amazing they are putting these plans in without consultation," he said.
One resident called for everyone to look "very carefully" at the proposals to site a school and play area so close to mental health facilities and told everyone to think why a 16ft high fence surrounded the perimeter of the mental health secure unit Guild Lodge which bordered the site.
She said the 'clients' that Lancashire Care NHS Trust were proposing to move to Whittingham from Lancaster if the proposed extension at the side of Guild Lodge went ahead were "dangerous" and she said she was "deeply, deeply concerned."
PC Chris Banks said LCC had failed to get back to him over discussions over the siting of the school. He said another concern for the police was the speed of traffic through the villages.
He said the police appeal for the developers to carry out work at the villages' major accident blackspot at the junction of Whittingham, Cumeragh and Camforth Hall lanes had not been listened to. He was also concerned about the siting of the proposed crossing near to the bad bend at North Lodge. He said it was a shame county highways were not present to hear local concerns and another resident said the highways authority were "highly conspicuous by their absence". The same lady also said if everyone was not careful the villages would end up with "an unfriendly, unsustainable development......This is our community and and we want to fight for it."
Others stated they did not want the problems experienced in Grimsargh as a result of the Redrow development to happen at Whittingham and a relative newcomer to the villages said the sort of problems that were going to be created by doubling the size of the community were what he had moved to get away from.
Besides 610 homes, primary school and a new sports and social club, the latest application also includes 9000sqm of office - light industry, senior playing pitch, tennis court, relocation of the bowling green, recreational and play facilities, new access to Whittingham Lane and alterations to the existing access to Cumeragh Lane, open space and landscaping and associated infrastructure, including the retention of the existing cricket pitch and pavilion.
The future of the Broughton bypass - which is financially dependent on development at Whittingham - is still secure and a separate application is still required for the conversion of St John's Church - a listed building.
There is now a changed deadline of March 13 for all comments on the resubmission, to be submitted to Preston's Planning Department, Lancastria House, 77-70 Lancaster Road, Preston, PR1 2RH.

Published Date: 03 December 2008
DEVELOPERS have vowed to press ahead with controversial plans for a massive housing development on the outskirts of Longridge after winning an appeal against planning refusal.
Building giant Taylor Wimpey says that despite the economic climate and a downturn in their own business fortunes, they remain "committed" to building 650 new homes and developing 9,000sqm of light industry on the site of the old Whittingham Hospital.
The announcement comes after Communities and Local Government minister Hazel Blears gave the development the green light last week, upholding Taylor Wimpey's appeal against Preston Council's refusal of planning consent.
In a statement the company said: "Taylor Wimpey is committed to the Whittingham Hospital site in Preston and continues to work closely with
the government regeneration body the Homes and Communities Agency (formerly known as English Partnerships) to deliver the site.
"Following the recent planning decision we are now moving
forward with the detailed planning work. Due to the complex nature of the scheme, we are not in a position to comment on the exact timing, however, we hope to be in a position to submit plans during the first half of 2009 following further consultation with all key stakeholders."
Preston Council refused Taylor Wimpey's plans - which also include a primary school, sports pitch, tennis court, relocation of the bowling green, recreational and play facilities, a new access to Whittingham Lane and alterations to the existing access to Cumeragh Lane, open space and landscaping and associated infrastructure (including retention of the existing cricket pitch and pavilion)- in January and a further application submitted in the wake of the first refusal was also turned down.
Taylor Wimpey appealed on the first application, a public inquiry was held in July, but the council - which originally said it would be fighting "a robust case" - withdrew objections after Taylor Wimpey offered to increase their contribution towards off-site affordable housing by £1.47m.
The homes and communities minister rules that in overall terms the plans agree with the objectives of relevant development plan policy and adds that increasing the number of houses and reducing the amount of
employment would not be contrary to the objectives of national, regional or local policy.
She states the development will "not have unacceptable consequences for the safety or operation of the local highway system", yet believes it offers "significant benefits in terms of affordable housing, the bypass, public transport and green travel, community facilities and education provision."
The Broughton bypass remains financially dependent on the hospital development and whilst the bypass was a necessary pre-requisite, the Minister says its provision would be of "significant public benefit" - and without the Whittingham development was unlikely to go ahead in the foreseeable future.
The appeal allows for up to 350 new homes to be built before the start of the bypass, the Minister ruling 150 new homes can be built prior to the start of the bypass, rising to 250 and 1000sqm of light industry if, prior to the occupation of the 151st house a scheme for the re phasing and re-timing of Broughton traffic lights has been implemented "to the satisfaction of the local planning authority".
She adds that 350 new homes can be built and 1000sqm of light industry allowed if, prior to the occupation of the 251st house a scheme for the improvement of Broughton crossroads with improved signal control equipment has been approved and implemented, again to the satisfaction of Preston Council.
No less than 30 conditions are placed on the developers, including:
Detailed plans including layout, scale, appearance
and landscaping to be submitted within five years.
No construction or employment building to take place until a scheme for the phased development has been approved including provision and a programme for the on-site infrastructure and spine road; open space, children's play facilities and structural landscaping; community facilities including changing facilities; treatment of the existing pond; allotments and ancillary facilities and light industry - office floorspace - which must primarily meet local needs.
No more than 100 homes to be occupied until planning permission and listed building consent have been given for the conversion of St John's Church to a community centre or other similar community uses.
The access points on Cumeragh and Whittingham lanes to be constructed prior to the occupation of the first home or employment building on the site and the former access at South Lodge to remain permanently closed to all traffic other than cycles.
No home to be occupied until a method or methods for securing the long-term ownership, management and operation of the community facilities and other land and facilities on the site has been approved.
Ten per cent of the predicted energy demand to be generated from on-site renewable energy technologies.
No development until tree and hedge protection details have been approved and no tree felling unless approved by the council in advance, or the tree is dead, dying, diseased or dangerous.
Working hours and deliveries to and from the site together with staff parking to be agreed with the council.
A spokesman for the Homes and Communities Agency - which came into being on Monday and who own the site - said: "This is a complex project and we are pleased with the outcome of the planning inquiry.
"It is a major project – one of our biggest former hospital sites – and the decision of the Secretary of State means that detailed planning work can now get under way."
Lancashire County Council has pledged to fund the northern section of the bypass and the developers the southern section. Site surveys had been due to start in January 2010 and construction of the bypass would begin in July that year, but this timetable has been delayed due to the appeal process.
Taylor Wimpey is expected to provide £10 million towards the bypass (70 per cent of the total cost) and LCC, Taylor Wimpey and EP have been working to finalise the agreement which, once signed, will confirm the developers' commitment to funding the highway improvements.
 

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