Sale of land to Bournemouth hospital is 'win-win' for all

The proposed sale of Wessex Fields behind Royal Bournemouth Hospital has been subject to debate for many years so far. 

But BCP Council, which inherited the land from Bournemouth council after it was bought for £2.25m in 2017, is now in touching distance of finally sealing a deal. 

At a council overview and scrutiny committee meeting, UHD’s chairman Rob Whiteman declared the sale between BCP and UHD is a “win-win” for both parties. 

He explained the hospital trust will use the empty former arable land “to do something exciting”. 

Rob Whiteman, UHD chairman (Image: UHD)

Because of commercial reasons, the final price has not been made public. But some councillors on the cross-party asset disposal working group have said they want the sale to be on the open market. 

Cllr Lesley Dedman, a member of the group, asked Mike Cox, cabinet member for finance, for assurances that the authority is being transparent and there will be no problems down the line. 

Cllr Cox replied the council is “not trying to hide anything, it’s all in the public”, adding: “People who have the chance to buy it have also been informed.”

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Meanwhile Labour leader Patrick Canavan said it was possible BCP Council could get more money from Wessex Fields’ sale by selling it to an open market. 

Concerns were also raised from councillors on the group about the potential of legal challenges, but Cllr Slade said: “I think we’re dancing on the head of a pin”. 

She added: “I’m not seeing anybody tell me they’ve received a counteroffer. If somebody hasn’t made a counteroffer when they know this is happening, then we have to assume that we’re not facing a counteroffer.” 

Mike Cox (Image: BCP Council)

Mr Whiteman added: “The challenge to it would be if the process was not properly followed. 

“If we hadn’t gone with each other to an independent assessment made by a third-party valuer, picked a figure out of the are, then the one-public estate could be challenged legally.” 

One UHD’s future plans for Wessex Fields, Mr Whiteman said the land could be used for a science park, a medic school and key-worker housing on the site (which is not dependent on public grant). 

He added there are hopes the investment will make a stronger economy for the BCP area with the creation of highly skilled jobs and a workforce, leading to better healthcare. 

Wessex Field’s sale to UHD will be discussed by the council’s cabinet and then voted on by full council later this month.