The National Park Authority’s Planning Committee voted to approve plans for the former Copper Beeches Retirement Home, located in London Road, Rake, West Sussex. The site, which includes Heathmount, a late Victorian non-designated heritage asset, was significantly damaged by a major fire in August.
Submitted by AYG Holdings Beeches Ltd, the proposals will see Heathmount sensitively restored and converted into seven flats. Two other buildings on the site, Copper Beaches and Silver Birch, which were also targeted by an arson attack last year, will be demolished to make way for 19 new homes. An additional property will be constructed in the wider grounds, which span over eight acres. The new homes will comprise a mix of two, three, four, and five-bedroom properties.
Unused buildings within the formal walled gardens are also set to be rebuilt and refurbished into offices. The development will provide the equivalent of four affordable homes, with a Section 106 agreement including a contribution of over £458,000 towards affordable housing provision within the National Park. Measures to support local wildlife, such as bird and bat boxes, on-site habitat creation, and woodland enhancement, are also included.
“"We engaged early with the developers and the result is a high-quality development that restores and respects the Heathmount building and its setting. It’s great to see a positive future for this site after its significant deterioration following the closure of the care homes. The proposal positively contributes to housing supply in the National Park, as well as ancillary employment, and there are a series of improvements to help local wildlife flourish."
