IMAGES TAKEN NEAR TO
Vancouver Close, ORPINGTON, BR6 9XQ

Part of the development of much of the Orpington Hospital site (see Image). This road is different from the others, in that the majority of road names have a Cornish theme, whereas this one's name is Canadian, more fitting to the history of the hospital.

In contrast to the western end of the road (see Image, Image and Image), this part of Cloonmore Avenue was not built until the 1950s, with very different style of houses.

Part of the development of much of the Orpington Hospital site (see Image), the majority of road names having a Cornish theme.

Part of the development of much of the Orpington Hospital site (see Image), the majority of road names having a Cornish theme.

Interwar semis. The roundabout is purely ornamental.

During the First World War, Orpington was the home of what was first known as the Ontario Military Hospital, before becoming No 16 Canadian General Hospital in September 1917. At the time it was said to be one of the largest and most up to date military hospitals in the world. The hospital ceased to be a specific military hospital in September 1919, but was developed into the current Orpington Hospital. This building, called the Canada Wing in commemoration of the site's history, was completed in 1982 as part of the proposed redevelopment of the entire 39 acre site into a modern district general hospital, providing full services, including A&E. However, revised plans in the 1990s were for a new central hospital to be built in Bromley covering the whole of the district. Despite vigorous campaigning by the then local MP, Ivor Stanbrook, further development of the Orpington Hospital site ceased and most of the site has now been built on with housing. The hospital now covers only a limited range of services, with no A&E, for example. Ironically, further changes of plans meant that the Bromley Hospital development never came to fruition - instead Farnborough Hospital was redeveloped into the Princess Royal University Hospital, opened in 2003 and funded by through a PFI and various sales of land, including no doubt part of this site.

During the First World War, Orpington was the home of what was first known as the Ontario Military Hospital, before becoming No 16 Canadian General Hospital in September 1917. At the time it was said to be one of the largest and most up to date military hospitals in the world. The hospital ceased to be a specific military hospital in September 1919, but was developed into the current Orpington Hospital. This building, called the Canada Wing in commemoration of the site's history, was completed in 1982 as part of the proposed redevelopment of the entire 39 acre site into a modern district general hospital, providing full services, including A&E. However, revised plans in the 1990s were for a new central hospital to be built in Bromley covering the whole of the district. Despite vigorous campaigning by the then local MP, Ivor Stanbrook, further development of the Orpington Hospital site ceased and most of the site has now been built on with housing. The hospital now covers only a limited range of services, with no A&E, for example. Ironically, further changes of plans meant that the Bromley Hospital development never came to fruition - instead Farnborough Hospital was redeveloped into the Princess Royal University Hospital, opened in 2003 and funded through a PFI and various sales of land, including no doubt part of this site.

Part of the development of much of the Orpington Hospital site (see Image), the majority of road names having a Cornish theme. On the right is Newlyn Close.

Part of the development of much of the Orpington Hospital site (see Image), the majority of road names having a Cornish theme. In the background is the high embankment of the Southeastern main railway line.