SPECIALIST heritage property developer The PJ Livesey Group has secured unanimous planning approval from City of York Council for 120 homes at The Retreat on Heslington Road.
The plans will see the 18th century former specialist mental health care facility converted and new homes built in the grounds. The spacious, design-led homes will range from one to five bedroomed high specification properties with those located in the Grade II and Grade II* heritage buildings retaining stunning original features. The new homes will sit alongside communal facilities including the Recreation Hall and a Heritage Walk.
In addition to saving embodied carbon by repurposing the buildings, the development also incorporates sustainable design with energy efficiency measures and solar panels. The homes will be surrounded by stunning grounds including a Peace and Tranquillity Garden, orchard and Tennis Court. Previously closed off to the public, the historic park and gardens will be restored and opened up for local people to enjoy.
Founded in 1796 by the Quakers, the Retreat has a long and fascinating history providing pioneering psychiatric care to the community for over 220 years before the main buildings closed in 2018. It was the first hospital that focused on the ‘moral treatment’ of patients and the importance of the environment to support recovery and wellbeing, which influenced the development of care in the UK, North America and beyond.
Georgina Lynch, Managing Director, PJ Livesey said: “Our plans will give a new lease of life to these stunning buildings that are steeped in history. Our vision for The Retreat plays homage to its heritage with the development designed to create spaces for wellness and tranquillity both within the spacious homes and the surrounding gardens. We’re restoring and enhancing the historic park and gardens, opening them up to the public for the first time. We’re looking forward to getting started with construction and securing the future of this beautiful estate for generations to come.”
The PJ Livesey Group has worked closely with Historic England to ensure the plans are sensitive to the historic significance of the site. Historic England supported the redevelopment with Tom Frater, Regional Director for Historic England in the North East and Yorkshire for Historic England, saying: “We’re really pleased that the Council has approved this scheme. PJ Livesey Group’s plans for the Retreat show heritage helping to address the housing crisis, whilst also protecting York’s precious character and making its beautiful grounds, which integrated access to landscape into the treatment of mental health, accessible to local people and visitors.”
“We recognise the need to build more houses and we know that heritage can help. Up to 670,000 homes could be created from the repurposing of existing historic buildings in England such as The Retreat.”
Work is expected to start on site in early 2025 with the first homes available in 2026. For general enquiries or to register your early interest in living at The Retreat email [email protected].
The family-run PJ Livesey Group, based in the North West, has spent over 40 years transforming some of the finest historic properties into new homes. They subsequently branched out to newly built homes, with bespoke designs for every site they take on. It was recently announced that the company has been selected as one of Homes England’s preferred delivery partners.
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