What next at site? (From Penarth Times)

What next at site?

SULLY hospital's use in the future is still unclear although many suggestions have been put forward.

A multi-million pound scheme to turn it into luxury flats was sensationally scrapped this month after developers failed to get a clinical waste incinerator removed from the site.

Now ideas for the building's future use are being put forward.

John Evans, co-ordinator of Cardiff Patients Council, said: "This being a public building, it would be ideally suited to act as an example of 'public enterprise'.

"If the site were developed and run by a public body or bodies it could become, in time, a source of local revenue."

He continued: "Any money made from the development by the local health board and NHS trust could hopefully be directed back into the improvement of mental health services."

The group also suggested the area could be used as a conference centre because it is so close to Cardiff and Cardiff Airport.

Councillors have also put forward their views.

Sully Community councillor Ian Barlow said: "We as a council have not heard that any new buyers have registered an interest.

"But that is not a surprise with the incinerator unit still on the site. I don't think I would want to live next to this."

He added: "The incinerator was put up years ago and there was not much notice taken of it because the area is near a chemical plant which overshadowed the unit."

The Vale Council's Sully and Lavernock councillor, Anthony Ernest, said: "I find it incredible that the incinerator has not been moved to another site.

"It is bound to be a stumbling block for a developer.

"I hope the hospital can be utilised for the benefit of the area and the incinerator is removed to a more suitable place."