Up in smoke! (From Penarth Times)

Up in smoke!

AMBITIOUS plans to turn Sully Hospital into luxury flats have gone up in smoke.

The multi-million pound scheme was sensationally scrapped after developers failed to get a clinical waste incinerator removed from the site.

It was hoped that Galliard Developments could start work on advance sales at the site as early as next month.

But failure to reach an agreement about the incinerator, which is run by Dalkia Utilities Services on a 17-year contract from Cardiff and Vale NHS Trust, immediately halted the plans.

Managing Director of Galliard Nick Tucker Brown said: "We had good relations with the incinerator company but failed to come to an agreement about moving the burner. "

He added: "It would have been a fantastic development and the best site in area.

"There are wonderful views but I do not think people would want to live next to an incinerator.

"I was bidding a lot of money to get this moved but it all came to nothing in the end."

Now, it is believed the Grade II listed building, which was once earmarked as an Asylum Seekers Centre, could be remarketed

Sully Community Councillor Ian Barlow, who has a long standing interest in the site, says this is worrying.

He told the Times: "We hope this does not rekindle the Government's interest in the hospital.

"But we have no information which has lead us to believe this is the case."

He added: "If the building goes on the open market with the condition that the incinerator remains, it could significantly reduce the market rate."

Vale Councillor for Sully and Lavernock, Anthony Ernest said: "It has to be very disappointing that the situation has not been fully resolved yet with the hospital. 'That the development has fallen through is a terrible shame.

"The former TB hospital was an award winning building when it was first constructed in the 1930's. We do not want to see the building fall into disrepair."

He added: "The views are quite stunning so I can not see that there will be much of a problem if the site is put on the open market.

"As for the developers who have pulled out, I am not aware of the price that would have been paid for the land but I am sure it is a prime plot for luxury flats."

Vale mental health campaigner Max Wallis said: "The collapse of the sale of Sully Hospital for luxury flats gives the Vale's Health Board a challenge and an opportunity to meet the critical shortage of NHS beds."

What next for Sully?

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