Planning Submission for Hythe Hospital Housing

Date posted: September 2, 2022

ArchitecturePLB has been supporting New Forest District Council with the planning submission for over 20 affordable homes on the site of the Hythe Health Centre.

The site is part of a larger area owned by the NHS, which was home to the original Hythe and Dibden War Memorial Hospital and the associated Health Centre. The replacement War Memorial Hospital, also designed by ArchitecturePLB is due to open later this year. The entire development rationalises the estate and releases a large area for much-needed housing.

A key objective of the development is to not only transform the local area and meet essential health and housing needs, but also to enhance the landscape, retaining the mature trees that surround the site and create a pleasant setting for the new homes. The housing sits within this steeply sloping landscape alongside the new hospital, referencing the historic parkland setting of the original buildings.

The arrangement of the new housing seeks to create a simple, legible layout, resolving a number of complex site challenges in the process. A new road is created which enters the site from the north and serves two apartment blocks before descending down the site providing access to a variety of semi-detached and terraced houses. The homes are designed to complement the health building and local surroundings, with a simple, contemporary appearance using a palette of natural materials.