One historic health complex in Huddersfield is on the way out.
But another multi-million pound facility for Huddersfield patients is well on the way.
Clearance work has started at the former St Luke’s Hospital site in Crosland Moor ahead of full demolition.
Meanwhile a £9m 56,000 sq ft out-patient facility at Acre Mill, Lindley, is under construction.
Plans to knock down the former hospital first emerged earlier this year.
Yesterday demolition workers could be seen clearing the debris from the site ahead of full-scale demolition planned for next year.
Due to the scale of the large site comprising numerous buildings it could be next summer before the site is flattened.
The site is owned by the Pennine Property Partnership, a joint venture between developer Henry Boot and Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Foundation Trust.
Lesley Hill, director of Planning, Performance, Estates and Facilities, said: “Work has started to clear some of the site safely in readiness for its redevelopment.
“And this first stage is scheduled to be completed by the end of March 2014.
“We hope that demolition will be completed by summer 2014.
“We re aiming to keep disruption to local residents to an absolute minimum.
“During these works, we shall be working with the local Ecology Officer to ensure due care and attention is given to preserving the local bat population.”
The new Acre Mill complex will provide facilities for some 200,000 outpatients who currently visit Huddersfield Royal Infirmary across the road and Calderdale Royal Hospital.
A Trust spokeswoman said: “We have now restored the external masonry and roof and installed new windows throughout the building as well as providing a new access staircase and passenger lifts.
“The next stage is to fit out the interior to create the patient clinics, treatment rooms and waiting areas.
“We plan to open to patients as a first-class healthcare centre in the autumn of next year.”
St Luke's Hospital has been empty now for more than two years.
While the main hospital building dates back to the last century, St Luke’s House was originally founded as a workhouse in 1872.
None of the Victorian buildings on the site are listed, despite attempts in 1995 and 2009.
English Heritage said the building was “old fashioned” for its time and not of significant architectural or historical significance to justify listing.
St Luke’s House was used as the NHS Trust headquarters in Huddersfield for many years
The main hospital was latterly used for geriatric care and also as a unit to treat stroke patients.
