Victorian maternity hospital in Yorkshire could be demolished to make way for new houses

Heritage campaigners have have been trying to save the Victorian property on Blenheim Road, in Wakefield, from being bulldozed. The property was the city’s maternity hospital from 1919 until 1935. Developer Milner Homes has applied to Wakefield Council to demolish the property and build six town houses on the site.

More than 70 people have objected to the scheme, with residents opposed to the loss of a historic building. Others say the proposals are not in keeping with the St John’s area and will lead to a loss of privacy for neighbouring residents. Attempts to get the property listed were turned down last year.

Historic England said the building “does not demonstrate exceptional quality” required to qualify for listed status, but a conservation officer has recommended that the property be saved.

A report states: “The bar for national listing is set high. Whilst 28 Blenheim Road does not fulfil this test of national interest, nevertheless, it is clearly of strong local interest in the context of the development of Wakefield’s suburbs.”

The property was built in 1889 and designed by J W Connon, a well-known architect of his time who also worked on the Metropole Hotel in Leeds. It was the home to Rev Andrew Chalmers, vicar at Wakefield Unitarian Chapel, until his death in 1912. The property was the city’s maternity hospital from 1919 until Manygates Maternity Hospital was opened in 1935.

It is thought the house was divided into flats in the 1930s, not long after it ceased to be the maternity home, and it has been used as flats ever since.

The report continues: “The proposed development does not, in my view, enhance the character of the local area through its layout, form and materials. The loss of the Victorian villa which is constructed in high quality traditional materials and detailing, thereby making an important contribution to the streetscene and local area, is not supported from a heritage perspective.

“As the proposal results in the loss of 28 Blenheim Road, which is identified as a historically and architecturally interesting local building of great merit, the loss of such an important building would be of great harm and the application to demolish and redevelop the site for residential use, not recommended for approval.”