DLBP is delighted to announce that we have secured planning permission for Pickering House, a 73-bedroom care home, on behalf of Hamberley Care Homes, one of the UK’s leading providers of elderly care.
Acting on behalf of Hamberley Care Homes throughout the entire application, our experience was utilised in the extensive public consultation process, where we were able to establish strong rapport with the local Resident Association and Councillors. So much so, that the Councillors voted unanimously in favour of granting permission for the scheme. Our negotiation also resulted in the permission having no pre-commencement conditions, allowing our client to immediately being demolition of the existing buildings on-site.
Pickering House is located in the Surrey Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, the Metropolitan Green Belt, and an Area of Great Landscape Value too. Despite the site’s highly sensitive and protected location, the consented scheme has a far higher gross internal area than the dilapidated care home and close care apartment buildings it replaces, which have been vacant since 2018 due to them not being fit for operation.
The permission allows the demolition of the existing buildings and the construction of a single expansive care home which is beautiful in design; this aspect was specifically commended by the planning committee. The care home being situated in a single building is a huge benefit to our client as it allows for a smoother operation and improves the sustainability of the site.
We are proud that the scheme will have a positive impact on the environment. It will achieve a tremendous biodiversity net gain with the addition of hedgerows, a wildflower meadow and shrub planting within the extensive gardens, which will be a wonderful space for the care home residents to enjoy.