Hospital site secures £1.3m for redevelopment

Part of a former psychiatrist hospital site in Chichester is set to be developed after securing £1.3 million in National Lottery funding.

Chichester Community Development Trust (CCDT) said the money will be used to turn the derelict farm stables at the former Graylingwell Hospital into a creative hub.

Marchwell Studios will offer creative spaces to support artists, entrepreneurs and community members, said the CCDT.

"This is more than a project - it is a lifeline for building skills, confidence and brighter futures," said Clare de Bathe, CCDT chief executive.

Graylingwell Hospital was a psychiatric hospital formerly known as the West Sussex County Asylum.

Ms de Bathe said that Marchwell Studios would build on the "heritage" of the hospital "with its pioneering work in mental health".

The National Lottery Heritage Fund would allow the CCDT "to not only reflect that history in the space but to uphold its principles of care and creativity."

Marchwell Studios would include five studios dedicated to supporting startups, spaces for people facing barriers to the arts like poverty or disability, five full-sized studios for established creatives, three studios for social enterprises and one workshop space for youth and community training programmes.

CCDT said there would be regular creative fairs to engage the wider community and free-to-attend events for the surrounding estates.

Twelve jobs would also be created.

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