Completed petition Restore North Wales Hospital

‘We call on the National Assembly for Wales to urge the Welsh Government to assess the architectural heritage of the North Wales Hospital and to ensure that the bat roosts located there are protected. We would like this truly unique building to be preserved and restored for the nation’

Supporting information: The North Wales Hospital is a fine example of a Victorian asylum designed by architect Thomas Full James, opening in 1848 and closed 1995.Encompassing a 160 years of history, the threat is imminent, the former North Wales Hospital should impart its sad story with aim of preservation and retention of the site, to preserve the historical context for future generations in this 126 acre site.During the period after disposal, it has had a succession of owners some of whom involved in letting the buildings fall in dereliction, asset stripping and demolishing listed buildings contrary Planning (Listed Building and Conservation Areas) Act 1990. Bat roosts have been disturbed contrary to The Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.

The disposal and re-development of this Victorian hospital and associated buildings, once described by the Welsh historic environment agency Cadw as the finest purpose-built hospital in Wales, has been beset with problems for more than 15 years. The local authority could be placed at significant financial risk if they were to acquire the site while the condition of the buildings continue to deteriorate unless they have agreed a viable mix of new uses and have a developer partner to deliver the scheme. It is worth examining the history to date of the disposal process as it highlights a number of really useful lessons of wider applicability.