We successfully gained planning consent for a new care community of 172 retirement homes in the village of Scarcroft, some eight miles north of Leeds in Yorkshire. The 20-acre site had been the location of N-Power’s headquarters.
GFA prepared designs for a new care community for Audley Group, centred around Scarcroft Lodge. The Lodge is a 19th century grade II listed manor in much need of repair. The landscaped grounds are a major development site within the greenbelt.
The new care community has 172 two-bedroom homes. This includes the conversion of the listed building, as well as new build apartments and cottages. The design reflects traditional local architecture in stone and render, which settle into the landscape using stone walls. The pattern for the care community is a domestic-scale central street, leading to several different courtyards. Each has a distinctive character owing to the way walls, buildings, and landscaping have been combined. As a result, we maximised the valuable countryside views to the South.
The scheme features a library, lounge, restaurant, bar and bistro, and private dining room, as well as reception area and guest suites. The design of the Health & Well-being extension harmonises with the historic building and includes a club pool, treatment rooms, salon, and gymnasium for residents.
GFA Director Gavin Birt said “We are thrilled to receive planning consent for Audley’s new care community at Scarcroft. For us, this is a fantastic opportunity to show that place-making is central to quality design. To create a new care community using traditional forms with a contemporary twist as well as homes for our retirement population is a privilege”.