Plans to transform a derelict hospital site in the New Forest have been unveiled - 20 years after the final patient was discharged.
Goldcrest Custom Homes has submitted a proposal to provide 15 homes on the former Fenwick Hospital land at Pikes Hill in Lyndhurst.
Goldcrest is planning to replace the main hospital building with housing and refurbish four cottages in the grounds.
The hospital closed in 2005, later serving as a Health and Wellbeing Centre from 2008 until 2022.
The Victorian buildings have stood empty for almost three years and are said to be suffering from neglect and trespass.
A design and access statement that accompanies the application says the proposed development will deliver a high quality scheme that preserves the character of the area.
"The buildings on the site have been significantly altered and extended to the extent that their remaining architectural and historic interest is negligible."
READ MORE: Former hospital site in the New Forest set to be sold off by the NHS
The statement says the site is within walking distance of key local facilities, including the Waterloo Arms pub, the White Rabbit restaurant, and St Michael and All Angels Infant School.
"Goldcrest have worked closely with the National Park Authority to consult all residents within the local area.
"On behalf of the applicant, Chapman Lily Planning hosted a community engagement exercise with the local community.
"A project microsite, enabling those who could not attend, or otherwise wanted to study the proposals at their leisure, was also established and remained live for a number of weeks.
"The consultation exercise included advertisement of the proposals at the entrance of the site, a letter drop exercise to residents within the local area, and meetings with local councillors."
The scheme includes the demolition of the former Fenwick Hospital building and the retention and conversion of the cottages.
"The use of the proposed development is residential, which is entirely compatible with the neighbouring uses and the character of the intermediate locality.
"The development represents an opportunity to reinstate under-utilised, previously developed land, including buildings which are vacant and are in state of decline. It is no longer fit for purpose, or in line with current NHS standards."
New Forest councillor David Harrison, who was born at the Fenwick, said: "These things are always very emotive - people get attached to buildings and their history.
"I do understand that the building is no longer suitable for NHS purposes and was never in the most accessible location.
"My ideal outcome would have involved housing for key workers, but of course commercial considerations usually take over."
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