A YORK MP has raised concerns in parliament about the attitude of NHS Property Services (NHSPS), the body deciding on the future of the Bootham Park Hospital site.

Julian Sturdy, MP for York Outer, also used a parliamentary debate on Wednesday to stress the importance of NHSPS involving local decision makers.

He said City of York Council is calling for NHSPS to halt its current plans to sell the Bootham site to the highest bidder, and instead allow the local NHS and council to devise plans for the site's future that provide the greatest possible benefits for York residents.

Mr Sturdy added that the council is working on proposals to use the site for new NHS facilities, housing for key workers like hospital staff, and a new public park.

Mr Sturdy said the leader of City of York Council, Cllr Ian Gillies, told him earlier this week that NHSPS was not engaging with the council on these ideas, and have not agreed to pause marketing the site, despite requests.

In the debate, Julian Sturdy said: “One of the real problems we’re finding in York is that the NHS Property Services are very distant, difficult to engage with, and really they need to sit down with local communities around the country, and physically engage with them about the assets that need to be reinvested back within those local communities.”

After the debate, Mr Sturdy commented: “After hearing from council leader Ian Gillies regarding the council’s concerns about the poor engagement of NHS Property Services, I felt it was essential to put this on the parliamentary record, and ensure this was heard by the Health Minister present.

"As a historic York institution and community asset, it is important that the development of the Bootham site reflects the needs of York residents, and is not sold off hurriedly by a remote state agency for money that disappears out of our city.

"I will be raising the council’s concerns directly with the Chief Executive of NHS Property Services, and also lobbying ministers at the Department of Health. The needs of the local community have to be paramount in decisions on the future of such an established part of the fabric of our city."

In response, David Elstob, NHSPS principal transaction manager, told The Press: "The site has been declared surplus to the needs of the NHS by the organisations that plan and pay for local healthcare and our role is to secure maximum value for it while fulfilling our obligations in relation to its heritage status. All proceeds from the sale will be reinvested in the NHS.

"We know Bootham Park is important to people in York and are always willing to continue engaging with our local partners."

Heritage Consultants, appointed by NHSPS, have produced a complete record of the building’s historic features and NHSPS is working with Historic England to ensure any listed contents remain with the property.

NHSPS has also appointed heritage advisors to consider the most appropriate way forward for any other contents which may be deemed to have significance to York itself.