Historic local hospital to be given a facelift

Part of a hospital and former mental asylum is to be completely revamped by historic conservation company, Stone Edge.

The historic site at St James’ Hospital in Milton, Portsmouth, is to be preserved through extensive conservation work.

The works, carried out by Stone Edge’s Surrey Quarys office, will include specialist stone cleaning, repairs and re-pointing of the Handmade Swanage red bricks using natural lime based products, and repairs and replacement of the Bath Stone window surrounds.

The external fabric conservation works will begin this month and will run for 24 weeks.

Originally designed by architect George Rake in c1878, St James’ Hospital is one of a number of psychiatric hospitals affected by NHS reforms.

The Government’s Care in the Community strategy is resulting in the gradual closure of the hospital and development of new community based facilities to re-provide services.

Some of the hospital is considered by the council to be of high enough quality to need protecting.

The original asylum was built on rough terrain, but this was ideal for the patients’ occupational therapy and rehabilitation, because they helped cultivate the land.

In the following years, the surrounding area became built up, although it still remained difficult to access by public transport.

In 1926, Portsmouth's mental hospital had a thousand patients, all certified, with a discharge rate of approximately nil.

Stone Edge’s Kevin Marett will head the renovation project of the hospital.

Kevin’s previous projects include The Palace of Westminster, St Pancras Station, HM Treasury and the new Memorial to Her majesty The Queen Mother.

Kevin Marett, of Stone Edge, said: “We are delighted to be working on a building so rich in history.”

“It is pleasing to be involved in a project where the client’s approach to a regular maintenance regime maintenance regime will ensure trouble-free usage of the building and the future comfort of its users.”

• For more information on Stone Edge and other projects they have undertaken please visit www.stone-edge.co.uk.