Plans unveiled to redevelop one of UK’s largest hospices

Hospice

A planning application to redevelop one of the oldest and largest hospices outside of London has been put together.

The application has been put together by PRP’s Manchester studio on behalf of St Ann’s Hospice in Heald Green, Stockport.

PRP is seeking full planning permission to develop a new hospice facility on an undeveloped site adjacent to the existing hospice building, which sits within the Cheadle Royal Conservation Area.

PRP has also submitted outline planning permission for a new residential development on the site of the current hospice facility.

St Ann’s Hospice first opened in 1971 but the building that houses the existing hospice was originally built in the late 19th century as a 40-bedroom hospital for children with epilepsy, and later used for mental health care before being adapted to its present use.

The development will replace the outdated building with a purpose-built, state-of-the-art hospice that will comprise a 27-bedroom inpatient unit, day therapy and outpatient services, dedicated bereavement and family support services, office accommodation, training facilities, coffee shop, landscaped gardens and improved car parking.

The design of the new building works with the existing landscape to minimise any impact on the ecology of the site and the conservation area setting. Internally, the patient areas are designed to foster a domestic and homely feel, with all bedrooms benefitting from direct access to outdoor space and the landscaped gardens.

Graham Locke, director at PRP, said: “The purpose of St Ann’s Hospice is to provide the utmost care and support to patients with life-limiting illnesses.

“This is a charity that requires modern facilities to support the incredibly meaningful work it provides locally and beyond, but unfortunately the existing building is rapidly becoming expensive to maintain and will become unfit for future care.

“We now have a significant opportunity to develop a new hospice that meets the level and standard of world-class care St Ann’s Hospice is best known for, and by working closely with the team there, we have designed a new facility that we’re confident will meet the needs of patients for years to come.

“However, to make the new hospice viable, we will need to bring forward development on the existing site to cross-fund the land purchase and build. The existing site is ideal for residential development, utilising a brownfield site to bring much needed homes to Stockport.”

Eamonn O’Neal, chief executive of St Ann’s Hospice, said: “We’re proud to be one of the oldest hospices in the UK, and as we approach our 50th anniversary in 2021, it’s vital that we continue to look ahead and ensure we can continue providing specialist care to patients for another half a century and beyond.

“We have been working hard for several years, considering many different options to ensure we can continue to deliver world-class care to future generations, and are delighted with the plans PRP and other members of our project team have produced in collaboration and consultation with local people and businesses.

“Communities across Greater Manchester and beyond have always been so overwhelmingly supportive of the hospice, and we’re pleased that this new hospice would still remain in our Heald Green home in St Ann’s Road North. We’re proud to lead the way in many areas of end of life and palliative care delivery, and it’s exciting that we can hopefully bring this fabulous, world-class facility to the region for the benefit of families both now and well into the future.”

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