Thorpe Hall, Peterborough

Working on behalf of Sue Ryder, Beacon Planning helped to secure listed building consent and planning permission for the construction of a new multi-million pound hospice that will enable the charity to continue to offer residential care at this historic property.

Thorpe Hall, Peterborough, is a Grade I Listed Building of exceptional national importance as a rare example of a country estate built during the Commonwealth period (c.1653-1646). It is located within a fine landscape with a series of walled garden compartments, the significance of which is reflected in its inclusion on the Register of Historic Parks and Gardens in England at Grade II*. Sue Ryder have operated a care facility from within the hall itself since the 1980s, but changing regulations and healthcare practices have meant that a new ward block is required in order for the charity to be able to continue to offer their healthcare services on site.

Recognising the historic importance of the site, Sue Ryder commissioned Beacon Planning to undertake an initial historic building appraisal, the purpose of which was to identify the relative historic significances of the site to inform the design and decision-making processes. Using the results of this, Beacon Planning undertook extensive liaison with officers at English Heritage and Peterborough City Council, and worked with JDDK Architects (based in Newcastle) and the design team to develop a proposal that best responded to the heritage constraints and also met the project brief.

Our extensive liaison at the pre-application stage led to a successful planning and listed building consent application being made, with supporting Heritage, Design and Access and Planning Statements prepared by Beacon Planning. Together with the consultant team we also managed to overcome successfully ecological and arboricultural constraints.

We are very pleased that the plans approved by Peterborough City Council will see the construction of a new 20-bed patient unit with adjoining day-care facilities in the West Wing which will enable Sue Ryder to maintain its provision of this essential service to the Peterborough and wider community.