Green light for state-of-the-art hospice building in Thanington
Canterbury City Council planning committee has granted permission for a brand-new hospice building for Pilgrims Hospices in Thanington.
The new building for Pilgrims Hospices will provide state-of-the-art facilities comprising individual rooms and shared ward spaces, as well as accommodation for family members, offices; education, conference and meeting facilities; a café and reception area, parking and attractive landscaped gardens, including a secret garden and orangery building.
Pilgrims Hospices, East Kent’s largest hospice charity, has been based at its London Road site for several years. Following extensive consultation with key stakeholders, the community and staff members, it was agreed that the best course of action was to construct a new hospice building to support the future needs of the community.
There was considerable support from councillors for the plans as they unanimously voted through an outstanding building for Pilgrims Hospices who support people with end-of-life care in east Kent.
The hospice facility is being part-funded by Pentland Properties Ltd, owned by Paul and James Tory, the Tory Family Foundation and Mark Quinn, who has a personal experience with Pilgrims Hospices, as his mother was cared for by staff before she passed away.
Mark Quinn, CEO and Chairman of Quinn Estates said of the plans: “We are delighted that the Council has granted permission for this excellent new hospice building. Having spent time with my mother at the London Road site, it’s brilliant to know that this brand-new facility will provide both staff and patients with a first-class environment that reflects the level of care provided by Pilgrims Hospices. We look forward to delivering this for the people of East Kent in the coming years.”
Elizabeth Sharp, Trustee and Chair of the Major Projects Committee at Pilgrims Hospices, said: “Approval of plans for our new hospice at Saxon Fields is exciting and we look forward to working with Pentland Homes towards completion ahead of our fit-out operation. It is an important step to continuing to provide state-of-the-art end-of-life care to our local community.”
Martin Hart, Managing Director at Pentland Homes, said: “We are delighted that the plans for a new hospice building have been approved at the Saxon Fields development. It will be an excellent addition to the community. Going forward we will continue to work in tandem with the team at Pilgrims Hospices to ensure the building meets their needs.”
Estimated timings, subject to the length of the current COVID-19 pandemic, see the Pilgrims Hospices building set to complete by 2023, with occupation planned for early 2024 once the internal fit-out, supported by donations and sponsors, is finalised.