The Future Fate of Brighton General

The Elm Grove Workhouse was administered by the Board of Guardians for the Parish of Brighton as a workhouse and infirmary until April 1930 when it passed to the Public Assistance Committee of the County Borough Council and became the Elm Grove Home. During World War I it had been used briefly as the Kitchener Indian Hospital. In November 1935 it became known as the Brighton Municipal Hospital and, in 1948 after the formation of the National Health Service, it acquired its present title of Brighton General Hospital (BGH). It was the local teaching hospital and, in 1966, a post-graduate medical centre was added. There was also an accommodation block for nurses, later demolished to make way for housing.

The BGH site covers 4.6 hectares and, in its time, was like a self-contained village – interestingly with several green spaces. There were many buildings including a piggery (outlines of which remain evident on the flint walls), a chapel with original texts around the top of the walls, stables, a workshop and sewing rooms. Several small buildings and flint walls, including the main boundary wall, remain from the original workhouse complex. Although only the imposing Arundel building is listed (Grade II), the whole site and its buildings are undoubtedly of historic importance.

Campaigners for its protection emphasise that the site, now owned by the NHS Trust, was originally gifted to the people of Brighton.

MP Sian Berry kindly shared a letter from Sussex Community NHS Foundation Trust (SCNHSFT) stating that it is working on plans to develop the site to “deliver a modern, purpose–built Health Hub that will improve access to high-quality care to local communities” and this will “provide a fit-for-purpose and accessible environment for patients” as well as “supporting delivery of integrated community services …”. The Trust is “preparing a Strategic Outline Case” to see if there is a viable project for approval.

There have been meetings at the Edge Community Centre, one of which I attended recently, led by Jerome Cox-Strong and ex-councillor David Gibson.

The latest information is that SCNHSFT wants to work with local authorities to build social housing on the site. The council was meeting with them to present a financial plan for 500 – 700 housing units on site. Cllr Jacob Taylor stated, “They will be eco-friendly, environmentally friendly units. . . with solar panelling, that would provide all the electricity for the hub and for the dwellings.”

The campaign group, concerned that the site might be sold for development of luxury dwellings, highlights the need for a housing mix. There is also infrastructure to be considered and the huge amount of extra traffic, which is already a problem in the area. A community hub and medical centre are integral to their vision.

David Gibson said that the previous SCNHSFT meeting had unanimously called to keep the site ownership in the hands of the city and had agreed priorities for further consideration and consultation in the development of a people’s plan:

• Community ownership of the site
• Prioritise much needed social and key worker housing (500+ homes)
• Ongoing community engagement regarding future plans
• Community space / community friendly
• Health hub and community health facilities (including GP pharmacy provision)
• Step down beds (intermediate care)
• Eco-friendly housing and maximum sustainability and biodiversity
• The fullest engagement with residents and stakeholders on a people’s plan guided by these public goods.

SCNHSFT wants more local residents to have a say in the development of a people’s plan and will ask the authorities to endorse the core principles of the campaign. Anyone wishing to get involved should email bghpeoplesplan@gmail.com      

Sarah Tobias

Sarah Tobias is a lecturer in social and cultural history.