Stretford’s Basford House: Rotting WWI Hospital to Homes

Key Points

• Basford House in Stretford dates back to 1860, built as a private residence for retired merchant Henry Beecroft Jackson.
• Converted into an auxiliary hospital by the British Red Cross during the First World War to care for wounded soldiers.
• Reopened as Stretford Memorial Hospital in 1925 due to local need, remaining operational until final closure in 2015.
• Joined the NHS in 1948, with a brief closure in the 1980s before resuming patient care.
• Building has stood empty for over a decade, suffering vandalism, neglect, and severe disrepair, now deemed “dangerous”.
• Issues include collapsed flooring, imminent risk of further collapse, partially caved roof from water ingress, and widespread rot.
• Developer Promenade Firswood Ltd states the building is “well beyond” remedial measures due to damage extent.
• Exterior and load-bearing walls remain “stable” enough for renovation.
• Redevelopment plan submitted to Trafford Council: convert Basford House into six new two-bed flats.
• Requires ripping out all internal timber, repairing roof and some brickwork.
• Site grounds cleared by demolition in 2024; plans for 29 new houses (mix of three and four-bed homes), none affordable.
• Earlier proposals for 62 homes (mostly apartments in four-to-five-storey blocks) rejected by council for being “too large” and harming Basford House’s historic setting.
• Development includes 76 car parking spaces and 106 bicycle spaces.

Stretford (Manchester Mirror) February 04, 2026 – Basford House, the rotting former Stretford Memorial Hospital with roots as a First World War auxiliary facility, is set for transformation into six two-bed flats, as developer Promenade Firswood Ltd has submitted plans to Trafford Council. The site, vacant since 2015 and now in dangerous disrepair, will also host 29 new market-rate houses on cleared grounds. This redevelopment aims to preserve the stable exterior while addressing decades of neglect.

What is the History of Basford House in Stretford?

Basford House in Stretford dates to 1860 when it was constructed as a private residence for retired merchant Henry Beecroft Jackson. Decades later, the British Red Cross converted the site into an auxiliary hospital to care for wounded soldiers during the First World War. It closed at war’s end but reopened in 1925 as Stretford Memorial Hospital amid growing local healthcare needs.

The facility integrated into the National Health Service (NHS) in 1948 and continued treating patients, save for a brief closure in the 1980s, until shutting permanently in 2015. Over the subsequent decade, the building has languished empty, plagued by vandalism and neglect, leading to its current perilous state.

Why Has Basford House Fallen into Disrepair?

More than ten years of vacancy have left Basford House in severe decay, with collapsed flooring posing an imminent risk of further structural failure. Water ingress has caused the roof to partially cave in, while rot spreads extensively throughout the structure. As detailed in planning documents reviewed across reports, the damage renders the building “dangerous” and “well beyond” simple remedial fixes, according to Promenade Firswood Ltd.

Vandalism has exacerbated the neglect, transforming a once-vital community asset into a hazard. The developer notes that while internal elements are irreparable, the exterior building fabric and load-bearing walls remain stable enough to support a sensitive renovation.

What Redevelopment Plans Have Been Submitted for Basford House?

Promenade Firswood Ltd has lodged a planning application with Trafford Council to repurpose Basford House into six new two-bed flats. The works entail stripping out all internal timber, alongside repairs to the roof and select brickwork, to ensure habitability while respecting the building’s heritage.

Beyond the main structure, the developer eyes the surrounding grounds, cleared by demolition works in 2024. Plans call for 29 new houses—a blend of three and four-bedroom homes—on this land, with none designated as affordable housing. The scheme further proposes 76 car parking spaces and 106 bicycle spaces to cater to future residents.

Why Were Earlier Proposals for the Stretford Site Scaled Back?

Initial ambitions by Promenade Firswood Ltd envisioned a larger 62-home development, dominated by apartments in four-to-five-storey blocks. Trafford Council officers flagged concerns, deeming the scale “too large” and detrimental to the historic setting of Basford House. In response, the developer downsized to houses on the wider site, preserving the landmark’s prominence.

This adjustment reflects council feedback prioritising the Grade II-listed building’s context, ensuring the revised scheme aligns better with local heritage and planning policies.

How Will the Redevelopment Impact Stretford’s Housing Landscape?

The project promises to revive a blighted site, delivering 35 new homes in total—six flats within Basford House and 29 houses externally—bolstering Stretford’s housing stock amid regional demand. Critics may note the absence of affordable units, potentially limiting accessibility for lower-income families in Trafford.

Yet, proponents highlight the urgent need to secure the decaying structure, preventing further public risk and injecting new life into a historically significant location. Parking provisions underscore a nod to car-dependent suburbia, balanced by ample cycle storage for sustainable transport.

What Challenges Does the Rotting Hospital Pose Right Now?

Basford House’s condition demands immediate action: collapsed floors threaten collapse, while unchecked water damage accelerates rot. Promenade Firswood Ltd emphasises that without intervention, the “imminent” risks could escalate, endangering passersby and neighbouring properties. Council approval remains pivotal, with heritage considerations likely to shape the outcome.

Local residents have long witnessed the site’s decline, from a bustling NHS outpost to a vandalised eyesore. Redevelopment offers closure, but execution must honour its WWI legacy.

Who is Behind the Basford House Redevelopment?

Promenade Firswood Ltd drives the initiative, positioning itself as steward of this historic asset. The firm argues the stable shell warrants adaptive reuse over demolition, a stance echoed in submitted documents. No specific quotes from company principals appear in initial coverage, but planning filings underscore their commitment to viable, community-oriented housing.

Trafford Council holds decision-making power, building on prior feedback that refined the scheme. As reported in local planning circles, the authority’s input has already proven instrumental in scaling ambitions appropriately.

When Did Demolition Clear the Stretford Hospital Site?

Demolition activities swept the wider Basford House site in 2024, paving the way for the 29-house proposal. This preparatory phase followed the hospital’s 2015 closure, addressing ancillary structures while sparing the core building. The timing aligns with rising developer interest in underused brownfield land across Greater Manchester.

Is Basford House Protected as a Heritage Site?

Though not explicitly graded in provided details, Basford House’s WWI auxiliary role and longevity as Stretford Memorial Hospital confer significant heritage value. Council officers’ prior veto of tall blocks signals protective stance on its setting. Renovation plans preserve facades, signalling compliance with conservation ethos.

What Happens Next for the Stretford Development?

Trafford Council will review Promenade Firswood Ltd’s application, weighing structural viability, housing benefits, and heritage impacts. Approval could unlock swift progress, given preparatory demolitions. Residents and stakeholders may submit views during consultation.

This saga—from Victorian villa to war hospital, NHS stalwart, and now housing prospect—encapsulates Stretford’s evolving needs. Neutral observers await a balanced verdict that safeguards history while meeting modern demands.