Senior councillors from Denbighshire County Council have awarded a £4.7m contract to Jones Bros Civil Engineering to begin the Phase 1 redevelopment of the former North Wales Hospital site.
“Not only do these plans aim to regenerate a prominent historical landmark in Denbighshire, but it also plans to support the growth of the local economy,” said Councillor Jason McLellan, Leader of Denbighshire County Council, regarding the approval of grant funding to Jones Bros.
Under the approved contract, Jones Bros Civil Engineering will begin site clearance, asbestos removal and the demolition of structurally unsound buildings, essential preparatory steps ahead of the wider redevelopment.
The wider redevelopment is a long-term plan valued at £107m and expected to span around 12 years.
Once completed, it may deliver up to 300 new homes and business units across the former hospital grounds.
The main hospital building is Grade II listed and is described as, "an exceptionally fine and pioneering example of early Victorian asylum architecture”.
The hospital was originally opened in 1848 to provide mental health services to about 1500 Welsh-speaking patients. It closed in 1995 and has been vacant ever since.
The site has since fallen into serious disrepair, subject to neglect, vandalism and arson, prompting the local authority to act.
Rebirth of the North Wales site
Investments for Phase 1 funding comes from approximately £1.7m from the UK Government’s Levelling Up Fund, and £3.0m from the North Wales Growth Deal.
Local authorities authorised the early release of up to £2m, plus a potential further £1m to safeguard against further deterioration.
With this contract now in place, the project moves into its first active phase.
This means the once derelict hospital, which was a major local employer and pillar of community care, may soon be reborn as a mixed-use development supporting housing, business growth and community renewal.