Ambitious plans to create a scores of new flats and a hotel on the site of an historic city hospital could take a step forward next week.
A proposal of application notice has been submitted to Aberdeen City Council to turn the former Woolmanhill Hospital into a 52-bedroom “boutique” hotel, 27 serviced flats, 32 residential flats and 10 affordable flats.
Councillors on the pre-application forum will meet next Wednesday to scrutinise the plans and raise any issues of concern before an official planning application is submitted.
The proposals for the A-listed building have been submitted by developer Charlie Ferrari, whose company CAF Properties (Woolmanhill) Ltd will apply jointly with NHS Grampian for full planning permission to renovate four of the buildings.
An operational hospital was on the site since it was opened in 1749.
The Royal Infirmary, was rebuilt between 1833 and 1840, in the Grecian style, while The Simpson Pavilion, designed by Aberdeen architect Archibald Simpson, is one of the last surviving examples of a pre-Nightingale style of hospital design.
But health chiefs opted to close the hospital in 1999 and services have slowly been moved since, with only audiology and nose and throat units remaining at the site.
Under the plans, the Simpson pavilion would become the hotel while the Stephenson, Victorian and Archive buildings would be transformed into flats.
The B-listed boiler house, various outbuildings, part of the boundary walls and the external enclosed staircases would be demolished.
If the plans are approved, work could start mid-2017 with completion from mid to late 2019.
The report before councillors reads: “Both local and national planning policy and guidance is supportive on the productive adaptation and re-use of historic assets, including listed buildings, to ensure their continued use and contribution to the built environment, provided such uses do not harm the building’s special architectural or historic interest.
“Therefore it is accepted that the proposed uses are deemed acceptable in principle.”
Mr Ferrari did not respond to requests for comment last night. NHS Grampian declined to comment.
