The demolition of disused Royal Infirmary Hospital begins

University Hospitals of the North Midlands NHS Trust (UHNM) has begun the demolition of the old Royal Infirmary site in Stoke-on-Trent.

The site has not been used for NHS clinical services since 2012, when the hospital closed and services were transferred to the new Royal Stoke University Hospital.  The demolition is the next step in a major transformation and regeneration programme in this part of the city. The NHS Trust’s aim is to sell the redundant site for housing and in doing so support the regeneration of this part of Stoke.

In 2014 UHNM secured outline planning permission for the demolition of old buildings on the old Royal Infirmary site and the development of up to 236 new homes, some amenity greenspace and up to 500 square metres of community or retail space.  Initial safety work has been under way for some months and on Tuesday 26 January full demolition works began. 

Lorraine Whitehead, Director of Estates, Facilities and PFI, said: “We are very pleased this project is now fully underway.  This is about much more than just demolishing dilapidated buildings.  By selling surplus land that is no longer needed for clinical services, we are part of a local effort to regenerate this part of Stoke.  In addition, the money raised from the land sale will be used to improve NHS facilities for local people.”

The demolition of the Royal Infirmary is part of UHNM’s ‘Project STAR’, the Trust's plan to improve health services locally and play its role in regenerating this part of Stoke.

For more information about the demolition and Project STAR, please visit: https://projectstar.uk.engagementhq.com