Latest news with #HarrisIrwinArchitects
Yahoo
23-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Plans for care home at former wedding venue refused
Plans to build 18 homes and a 70-bed care home at a former wedding and conference venue have been rejected. The proposal, submitted by Belstone Fox, aimed to convert the Grade II-listed Woodlands Castle in Ruishton, Somerset, into a private home with an additional 18 properties and care home its grounds. However, Somerset Council rejected the plans, saying the development would harm the character of the listed building and the village. Woodlands Castle, which dates back to the 17th Century, closed in 2020 during the coronavirus pandemic. The site has since suffered vandalism and was used as a cannabis farm in 2021, with the developer warning that temporary repairs to the building "will begin to fail in the near future." Council planning officers argued the proposed development would harm the significance of the listed building and conflict with local planning policies such as the Taunton Deane Core Strategy and the Ruishton and Thornfalcon Neighbourhood Plan. The design and scale of the proposed care home was seen as incompatible with the area's character. The council also expressed concerns that the development would extend Ruishton further toward the Taunton Gateway area, contributing to the merging of the village with nearby urban areas. Belstone Fox, however, maintained that the project would help restore and "preserve Woodlands Castle for future generations" while addressing local housing and care needs. A spokesperson from Harris Irwin Architects, representing the developer, said: "The creation of 70 high-quality care and dementia bedrooms will count towards the local authority's targets. "Residents who take up these bedrooms are likely to leave much larger homes within the local area, freeing up multi-bedroom apartments and houses for local families." The refusal comes after Somerset Council lost an appeal by Taylor Wimpey to build 150 homes on the Brookfield Nursery site on the other side of Ruishton Lane. It remains unclear whether Belstone Fox intends to appeal the council's decision. Follow BBC Somerset on Facebook and X. Send your story ideas to us on email or via WhatsApp on 0800 313 4630. Somerset Council allowed to raise tax by 7.5% Plans to dual A358 Taunton to A303 cancelled Plans for controversial cycle bridge shelved Somerset Council
BBC News
23-02-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Woodlands Castle development plans refused by Somerset Council
Plans to build 18 homes and a 70-bed care home at a former wedding and conference venue have been rejected. The proposal, submitted by Belstone Fox, aimed to convert the Grade II-listed Woodlands Castle in Ruishton, Somerset, into a private home with an additional 18 properties and care home its Somerset Council rejected the plans, saying the development would harm the character of the listed building and the Castle, which dates back to the 17th Century, closed in 2020 during the coronavirus pandemic. The site has since suffered vandalism and was used as a cannabis farm in 2021, with the developer warning that temporary repairs to the building "will begin to fail in the near future."Council planning officers argued the proposed development would harm the significance of the listed building and conflict with local planning policies such as the Taunton Deane Core Strategy and the Ruishton and Thornfalcon Neighbourhood design and scale of the proposed care home was seen as incompatible with the area's council also expressed concerns that the development would extend Ruishton further toward the Taunton Gateway area, contributing to the merging of the village with nearby urban areas. Belstone Fox, however, maintained that the project would help restore and "preserve Woodlands Castle for future generations" while addressing local housing and care needs. A spokesperson from Harris Irwin Architects, representing the developer, said: "The creation of 70 high-quality care and dementia bedrooms will count towards the local authority's targets. "Residents who take up these bedrooms are likely to leave much larger homes within the local area, freeing up multi-bedroom apartments and houses for local families."The refusal comes after Somerset Council lost an appeal by Taylor Wimpey to build 150 homes on the Brookfield Nursery site on the other side of Ruishton Lane. It remains unclear whether Belstone Fox intends to appeal the council's decision.
Yahoo
20-02-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Barkston Ash care home by listed church wins exterior design award
A Tadcaster care home has won a national award for its exterior design. Highfield care home, in Barkston Ash, Tadcaster, clinched the Best Exterior Design title at the Design Healthcare Awards. The home, which opened in May 2024, was designed by Harris Irwin Architects and provides residential, dementia, and respite care for 66 residents. The primary aim of the design was to create a home that blends seamlessly with the surroundings of estate parkland, and an adjacent Grade II-listed church. The judges said: "The architects have taken a traditional courtyard approach reminiscent of a country estate which looks to optimise the home's location near to the listed church and surrounding parkland. The Barchester Healthcare home opened in May 2024 (Image: Supplied) "The first-floor large balconies link the home to the outside space. "There are also a number of secure courtyards from the ground-floor bedrooms. "They have broken the gardens down into smaller areas which works really well. "Clearly it is an outstanding setting to work with and they have been particularly careful to enhance the listed building rather than overshadow it. "Views and outlook have been really important in every aspect of the design." Luke Owens, general manager at Highfield, added: "The whole team here at Highfield and all our wonderful residents are absolutely blown away to win this award. "We are all so proud of our gorgeous home - it really is the most beautiful place to live and work. "We're all so grateful that our home has been recognised." Ben Garlick, director at Harris Irwin, said: "The standard of entries in the prestigious Healthcare Design Awards is always impressive, and this year was no exception, with the bar raised even higher. "The team at Harris Irwin Architects are honoured to have played such an important role in the design of Highfield, and its success is testament to the strong partnership we have with Barchester Healthcare, working closely with them and the wider team to design and build exceptional care homes supported with our mutual passion, creative expertise, and experience in the care sector." Highfield is run by Barchester Healthcare.
