Developer Says NHS Could Have Made More Money Out Of Hospital Sale

A developer says the NHS could have made more money out of the sale of Market Harborough’s former Cottage Hospital.

It was revealed last week the Coventry Road site was sold for £1.35, although Harborough-based RSJ Developments last year bid over 1.5 million for it.

Director John Cooper then pulled out of the running after another bidder increased their offer, but was invited to re-bid in January after being told the site would be put back of the market.

He intended to, although a week later contracts were exchanged with another party so he couldn’t.

Mr Cooper says had the site been put back on the market, it would have sold for more.

NHS Property Services say at every stage in the process, all prospective purchasers were given an equal opportunity to bid.

A statement adds: “When the preferred bidder reduced their offer in January, RSJ was given an opportunity to reconfirm its offer but instead informed our agent it was not able to proceed.”

The former hospital was sold to a care-home provider who intends to demolish the building to make way for a 70-bed facility.