Hospital's future to be discussed

The new plans feature more leisure facilities for the former hospital site

The future of a former mental health hospital site in Lancashire is to be discussed by councillors.

Whittingham Hospital, near Preston, closed in 1995 and much of the site has become derelict and been vandalised in the intervening years.

However plans are afoot to re-develop the 147-acre plot by siting 650 homes, a primary school, leisure facilities and businesses on the land.

English Partnerships own the site which is on the edge of Goosnargh village.

Plans amended

Planning permission is already in place but the plans have been amended for more recreational facilities to be added.

Councillors from Preston City Council are expected to discuss the new application - which council officers say should be approved.

The Whittingham Hospital site is one of the largest in English Partnerships' Hospital Sites Programme, which plans to convert 96 former NHS sites into residential communities.

Paul Spooner, English Partnerships Regional Director for the North West and West Midlands, said: "The public consultation showed that local people wanted to see more leisure facilities for young people and more affordable housing."