Always a proud moment when you see a previous Soilfix remediation site featured on the BBC iplayer
The site in question, Cane Hill Asylum in Croydon and the TV Program ‘Who do you think you are?’ featuring David Walliams. As part of the program, David traced his family history and paid a visit to Cane Hill to learn more about his paternal great grandfather, John George Boorman.
In 2016, Soilfix were contracted by Barratt Developments plc to carry out soil remediation, ground improvement and enabling works at the site – the case study can be found here
Designed by Charles Henry Howell, it opened as the Third Surrey Pauper Lunatic Asylum in 1883. Although most of the remaining site lay derelict for years, a devastating fire in 2010 destroyed what was left.
Famous patients of Cane Hill Hospital include Charlie Chaplin’s Mother, relatives of members of Michael Cain and David Bowie.
The development is now called Cane Hill Park and beautiful new homes built on Chaplin Place and Charles Howell Drive, keep the history alive. The hospital may no longer be there, but its legacy lives on.
