A bit of history: It was built in the early 1830's as part of an estate, and - if this is a demolition task - the only aspect of the estate that survived it was the stables along Gledhow Park Drive. It was built for industrialist John Hives, and was opened as part Chapel Allerton Hospital in 1927 by HRH Princess Mary. It had technology such as two X-Ray departments, two theatres and an artificial limbs centre. It was run by the ministry of pensions at the time and was to meet the growing numbers of war veterans who needed medical service following World War One. It replaced the older military hospital at Beckett's Park, a site which is now part of Leeds Beckett University's Campus. As it passed onto the ministry of Health in 1953, it turned to a more general role, as the amount of casualties after WWII were not as great.
By the 1970s, serious concerns were growing over the quality of care and the standard of some areas of the hospital, and total closure was seriously considered. However, instead the Newton Green Wing (Now the current hospital building) was constructed and completed in 1994 and the Mansion Gate Estate was relieved of its duties. Most buildings were demolished and replaced by the Mansion Gate housing estate which is still standing today. The mansion itself, though, was left abandoned for twenty-three years. Until now... It was one of the first British hospitals to boast a specialised Artificial Limbs centre, and opened its own radio station, Radio Allerton, around 1978 (correct me if I'm wrong on that one, I don't know any way of finding out for certain). The radio studio inside remains in place although in a dilapidated state. Controversy surrounded the building in 2009, when a group of Urban Explorers discovered shelves upon shelves of abandoned patient records in the asbestos-filled basement. This mishandling of confidential information is clearly illegal on the part of the NHS.
In any case, this once magnificent Grade II listed building is now in the process of being pulled down it seems, and I suppose my main questions are: Does anyone have any memories of this place that they'd be willing to share? And, if anyone does have any information on the fate of this building and why they chose to do anything about it now, could you please maybe let me know?
I only say this because in the many times I've been in this building, despite its condition, I have grown to love this building and feel it would be a great shame if it were to be replaced by disgusting corporate offices or the like. Thanks
