Wessex Fields purchased by University Hospitals Dorset
The site will be used for parking, housing, and medical research facilities
University Hospitals Dorset has acquired the remainder of Wessex Fields from Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (BCP) Council, a site adjoining the Royal Bournemouth Hospital.
This purchase arrives as Royal Bournemouth Hospital becomes the region’s major emergency hospital while Poole Hospital transitions into the largest planned care hospital in the UK.
Immediate plans for the site include additional parking spaces, providing benefits to patients, visitors, and staff. Further plans include feasibility studies for geo-thermal energy in 2026, exploring reliable and local sources for heating.
Key worker housing will also be developed, supporting staff retention and recruitment while easing traffic congestion by offering staff the ability to walk to work. The site’s masterplan, set to be developed in 2024, will consider other healthcare-related uses such as educational and research centres.
Siobhan Harrington, Chief Executive of University Hospitals Dorset, said: “As we prepare for the next stages of delivering better emergency and planned care for our local population, Wessex Fields will help us in delivering even greater benefits. We look forward to working with partners to develop this exciting opportunity.”
BCP Council Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance, Cllr Mike Cox, added: “The sale of Wessex Fields represents a great opportunity for residents, bringing investment into the area that will regenerate a key site, create new jobs and build world-class medical research and development facilities, alongside hospital keyworker housing.
“Working with partners to improve health and wellbeing outcomes and reduce health inequalities in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole is one of our ambitions, so we’re pleased to be able to sell this land to University Hospitals Dorset.
“This sale also generates a substantial capital receipt for the council; bringing huge benefits to the area and getting best value for our residents.”