Construction has begun at the re-development of Southwold’s historic community hospital on Field Stile Road. Development partners SouthGen, Hastoe Housing Association and Wellington Construction Ltd were joined by Suffolk Coastal MP, Thérèse Coffey, and local councillors on Friday 19 July to mark the occasion.
The regeneration of the building is set to breathe new life into the area by offering nine affordable new homes and a creative community hub for local people to enjoy. Due for completion in early 2021, the hub will include a new home for Southwold Library, a nursery, space for local businesses, and a farm-to-fork café.
Of the nine affordable new homes, four will be available to rent and five will available for shared ownership to help first-time buyers onto the housing ladder. All nine will be prioritised for people with a local connection to Southwold, such as those working in the town, those with close family in the area, or those who previously lived there but were forced to move out because of a lack of affordable housing.
Therese said: "I was delighted to visit the old Southwold hospital site to see work starting on the new affordable homes and community facilities for local people. After all the hard work done by SouthGen and Hastoe working together, it was great to see it finally coming to a new phase of life on the ground."
