Listed Building

The only legal part of the listing under the Planning (Listing Buildings and Conservation Areas) (Scotland) Act 1997 is the address/name of site. Addresses and building names may have changed since the date of listing – see 'About Listed Buildings' below for more information. The further details below the 'Address/Name of Site' are provided for information purposes only.

Address/Name of Site

MEARNSKIRK HOSPITAL, FORMER NURSES' HOME ADMINSTRATION BLOCK FORMER DOMESTIC RESIDENCE GENERAL STORE HOUSE LODGE AND SOUTHFIELD HOUSELB19215

Status: Designated

Documents

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Summary

Category
B
Date Added
25/11/1992
Supplementary Information Updated
26/04/2022
Local Authority
East Renfrewshire
Planning Authority
East Renfrewshire
Parish
Mearns
NGR
NS 53847 54637
Coordinates
253847, 654637

Description

Relic of a large hospital complex, new-built on a site which was acquired in 1913. Designed by J A T Houston in a style based on revived English late 17th/early 18th century fashion, or 'Wrenaissance', with characteristic Classical detailing; all built of red brick and contrasting light-coloured detailing, to represent Portland stone. Construction was delayed by the Great War - it began building 1921 (probably to the original designs) and opened in May 1930. Hospital lay-out a series of free-standing blocks, mostly 1 or 2 storeys, slate roofs - poended/bell cast or with open-based pedimented gables; original small-paned glazing. Brick is raised at angles or on facades, and channelled as pilasters; also flat-arched over square-headed openings; moulded eaves throughout. Deep moulded cornices of white-painted timber. Set in parkland of (now mature) trees, in a lay-out which combines the axes and vistas of the formal with curves associated with the informal. Blocks which are listed (there are seven) are as follows:

(1) NURSES' HOME (NS 5370 5455) probably the largest block in the complex, and with particularly bold detailing - eg deep channelling of brickwork, massive eaves cornice; 3-storeyed and symmetrical, main (south west) front a wide U-plan set behind a timber-railed full-width Doric colonnade, and with three giant windows in shallow advanced centre lighting spacious common room, squat square (presumably water) towers in angles; arched (mostly 1st floor) recessed panels (containing windows) are painted; tall shallow-arched panels in front gables of wings, cutting into gable heads; recessed wings extend on either side, beyond, stair windows at ends. Shallow-pitch bell-cast roofs.

(2) ADMINISTRATION BLOCK (NS 5377 5452) front part 2 storeys, piend-roofed, 5-bay front with art-deco large entrance, 5 round-arched windows at 1st floor. Rear wing 2-storeys, stepped down to single storey, and T-shaped on plan, with pedimented gables, 10 regular bay son north elevation with door squeezed in centre.

(3) FORMER DOMESTIC RESIDENCE (NS 5378 5456) is symmetrical, a long and large U-plan. Lower south-facing ranges link 3 taller and parapetted 5-bay blocks which have clasping pilaster strips; inner block 2 storeys with deep south-facing 1st floor windows, outer blocks each 3 storeys with tall segmental-arched outer panels linking upper floor.

(4) GENERAL STORE (NS5383 5462) which is rectangular-plan with long, symmetrical elevations; 2 storeys. West front 11 bays with large art deco entrance, doorways either side, entrances all at raised level (presumably built thus from the outset for truck deliveries); to rear, centre advanced with paired stair windows.

(5) 2-STOREY HOUSE (NS 5371 5466) piend-roofed, north-facing, elevation spaced 5 bays with centre entrance, three windows above, paired stacks cut through roof flank.

(6) LODGE (NS 5395 5448) on Mearns Road, piend-roofed, 2-storey 2-bay flat front, with tripartite windows, tall entrance bay alongside, at driveway.

(7) SOUTHFIELD HOUSE (NS 5399 5444) former Medical Superintendent's house), set apart from main hospital complex, opposite gate lodge on east side of main road, has symmetrical tripartite facade, 2 storeys shallow advanced centre, steep-gabled porch with bipartite over, close-spaced 3-light windows in outer bays. Garden walls, gatepiers with wrought-iron gates, curved quadrant walls.

Statement of Special Interest

Mearnskirk Hospital was provided by Glasgow Corporation's Public Health Department as part of its scheme for the prevention of TB/Consumption, which was at the time a common and usually fatal or life-shortening illness. It was originally designed as a sanitorium for children, and the site acquired extended to 321 acres. Great emphasis was placed upon fresh air and ventilation, which was found to help sufferers - hence the choice of site, and the placing and planning of the wards, with the butterfly-plan creating something of a suntrap, sheltered, with verandahs onto which beds could be placed.

On outbreak of the 2nd World War, the children were evacuated to Millport, and emergency medical scheme (EMS) huts were built at Mearnskirk (all demolished 1991/92), part of its transformation to a naval auxiliary hospital. It also maintained some beds for civilian casualties, and took in casualties from the Clydebank and Greenock blitz. After the War, it catered for adults and children with TB and a Thoracic surgical unit was opened. After its transfer to the NHS, ENT, heart surgery and other specialities were introduced until in 1960, it was re-categorised as a general hospital.

Some memorials are placed within grounds, the largest a bronze figure on a stone pedestal which has had (presumably decorative) bronze panels removed; inscription in stone "In memory of Dr John A Wilson OBE first Superintendent of Mearnskirk 1928-45. Erected by A L Ellsworth and his friends".

References

Bibliography

S.R.A. D-TC 6/606/1/2 Historic Scotland Hospital Study.

About Listed Buildings

Historic Environment Scotland is responsible for designating sites and places at the national level. These designations are Scheduled monuments, Listed buildings, Inventory of gardens and designed landscapes and Inventory of historic battlefields.

We make recommendations to the Scottish Government about historic marine protected areas, and the Scottish Ministers decide whether to designate.

Listing is the process that identifies, designates and provides statutory protection for buildings of special architectural or historic interest as set out in the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) (Scotland) Act 1997.

We list buildings which are found to be of special architectural or historic interest using the selection guidance published in Designation Policy and Selection Guidance (2019)

Listed building records provide an indication of the special architectural or historic interest of the listed building which has been identified by its statutory address. The description and additional information provided are supplementary and have no legal weight.

These records are not definitive historical accounts or a complete description of the building(s). If part of a building is not described it does not mean it is not listed. The format of the listed building record has changed over time. Earlier records may be brief and some information will not have been recorded.

The legal part of the listing is the address/name of site which is known as the statutory address. Other than the name or address of a listed building, further details are provided for information purposes only. Historic Environment Scotland does not accept any liability for any loss or damage suffered as a consequence of inaccuracies in the information provided. Addresses and building names may have changed since the date of listing. Even if a number or name is missing from a listing address it will still be listed. Listing covers both the exterior and the interior and any object or structure fixed to the building. Listing also applies to buildings or structures not physically attached but which are part of the curtilage (or land) of the listed building as long as they were erected before 1 July 1948.

While Historic Environment Scotland is responsible for designating listed buildings, the planning authority is responsible for determining what is covered by the listing, including what is listed through curtilage. However, for listed buildings designated or for listings amended from 1 October 2015, legal exclusions to the listing may apply.

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