Broadmoor could soon become a luxury flats
January 12, 2010
There is a possibility that the country’s most infamous psychiatric hospital for the criminally insane could be sold into the hands of developers to be turned into flats or even a hotel. Broadmoor Hospital in Crowthorne, Berkshire first opened its doors in 1863 and was the first purpose built asylum for criminals in Britain. Since then it has been the home to some of the country’s most notorious criminals such as Peter Sutcliffe, the Yorkshire Ripper; Ian Brady, the Moors murderer; Ronnie Kray and Charles Bronson.
The plans to turn the prison into luxury apartments or hotel suites would allow the NHS to build a more up to date mental facility nearby. The new hospital would cost somewhere around £288 million and the Department of Health is currently studying the proposed plans. The plans were originally put together in 2003 and 2016 was given as a possible completion date. However it looks likely that if the plans are approved the completion date will be pushed back.
Executives at Broadmoor are keen to raise standards of care at the hospital in the light of the number of suicides that take place. There were eight between 2001 and 2008 with three suicides occurring in the space of eighteen months. Because Broadmoor is a listed building, staff have been unable to make improvements such as removing iron bars from the windows. The bars are a popular place for patients to hang themselves from. The fact that Broadmoor is listed will also put constraints on potential development.
Related Posts
Comments
Advertisement
