Historic 'at-risk' former hospital could be saved as demolition work begins around it

An historic former hospital building could be saved from demolition and transformed under plans from a developer. Basford House, at the former Stretford Memorial Hospital in Trafford, was one 11 Greater Manchester buildings added to a national heritage at-risk register earlier this year.

It was built in 1860 as a mansion for cotton baron Henry Beecroft Jackson, was used by the British Red Cross as an auxiliary hospital in the First World War, and became a maternity unit from 1925 to 1985. Joy Division singer Ian Curtis and pop star Andy Gibb - the younger brother of Bee Gees trio Barry, Robin and Maurice - were among those to be born there.

It later became a geriatric hospital until it closed its doors nine years ago, when services moved to Trafford General Hospital. Demolition work has now begun on the 20th century buildings at Seymour Grove, which were added to Stretford Memorial Hospital after it became part of the NHS.

READ MORE: Tragedy as 'bouncy, bubbly' Mancunian DJ dies days after watching brother's band in reunion gig

Surrounded by bulldozers and demolition signs, the work had prompted concerns that the historic Basford House could be lost. But Promenade Estates, the developer behind plans to transform the site, insists it intends to save the locally listed heritage building.

Daniel Hynd, managing director at Promenade Estates, said: “It’s a lovely heritage building, and we have a long track record of sympathetic restoration of properties of this type and quality. First, we’ve got to get under its skin and make it secure, as it’s not in the best condition."

The site had stood empty since its closure in 2015 and is considered to be in a 'very poor condition'. Two years ago, urban explorer Jake Parr shared