New Forest former hospital set to be sold off by NHS

The 125-year-old Fenwick complex at Pikes Hill, Lyndhurst, was used as a health and wellbeing centre by the charity Social Care in Action (SCiA) until last summer.

Earlier this year the NHS published proposals to dispose of the site.

Speaking at the time an NHS spokesperson said: "The site has not been used as an NHS hospital since 2005 and NHS England, in its role as landlord, will be putting the building up for auction."

Supporters of the former Fenwick Hospital held a public meeting at St Michael and All Angels Church (Image: Newsquest.)

Supporters of the Fenwick said the site should be preserved for the village.

They claimed it was left to the people of Lyndhurst by the builder, George Fenwick, and "loaned" to NHS when it was formed in 1948. But the NHS said only part of the site belonged to the community.

READ MORE: Southampton charity is no longer running the former Fenwick Hospital in Lyndhurst

New Forest East MP Julian Lewis urged the health secretary, Steve Barclay, to block the sale until its ownership could be established.

Sir Julian spoke at a public meeting held at St Michael and All Angels Church in Lyndhurst.

Lyndhurst High Street. Villagers say they are 'disappointed' by the decision to sell the former Fenwick Hospital (Image: Newsquest.)

He said: "It is very important to have a measure of the concern in the community that this site, which has traditionally done so much good for so many people, should not be lost.

"I fear it will end up being sold to the highest bidder – and that is certainly not in the interest of anybody in the community."

The building is due to come under the hammer at an auction on September 19 - with a guide price of £825,000.

READ MORE: First babies take up the fight to save the Fenwick Hospital at Pikes Hill

George Dibben, chairman of the League of Friends of Fenwick Hospital (LoFF), said the group was offered first refusal but lacked the funds to buy the complex.

He added: "We hope we will be able to work with whoever buys the site to agree a way in which the hospital building can be preserved for the benefit of the people of Lyndhurst."

Villagers fought plans to close the Fenwick and other community hospitals in the New Forest (Image: Newsquest.)

LoFF has the "full support" of Lyndhurst Parish Council.

A council spokesperson said: "We hope any potential developer will understand the strength of feeling among Lyndhurst residents, and will be willing to work with LoFF to secure a future for the hospital building that benefits the Lyndhurst community."

District councillor David Harrison added: "The planned disposal of hospital buildings is almost always an emotive subject.

"I was born at the Fenwick so naturally it means something special to me. However, what is really important about the NHS  is the service it provides, not sentimental feelings. 

"I anticipate that this building will be difficult to offload as it isn’t very accessible and falls short of modern-day standards that we all expect.

"Maybe it could be transformed for accommodation or even office use, including a potential home for the National Park Authority?"