In 2015 the NHS closed its community hospital in Southwold. In order to save this building, which was built almost 120 years ago, the community decided to buy it back. Southwold and Reydon are the first community in the country to do this.
Hastoe Housing Association and SouthGen have partnered together to turn this disused community hospital into 9 affordable homes (4 for rent and 5 for shared ownership), with 15% of the space being developed into a new community hub for local people. This hub will provide a new home for the Southwold library, a nursery, a farm-to-fork café and a co-working space.
SouthGen raised nearly £1 million for its share of the works, through a £400,000 community share offer and a matching equity award of £100,000 from Co-operatives UK. Grants from the New Anglia LEP, Power to Change and the Architectural Heritage Fund completed the rest of the funding package.
Works began in the summer and great care is being taken to transform this iconic listed building, with much of the original features being restored.
Working alongside Modece Architects and contractor, Wellington Construction Ltd, Potter Raper are really excited to be acting as the Employer’s Agent on this scheme, which will not only benefit the local people once complete but shows that community partnership can create something truly special.
