Audley Group, the UK’s leading provider of retirement villages, today announces that Tandridge Council has resolved to grant planning permission for a new integrated retirement community in Lingfield, Surrey. The site is currently owned by national charity Young Epilepsy.
The new village will safeguard the future of the charity by securing a sustainable long-term future for Young Epilepsy’s special education services (St Piers Residential School and College), while rejuvenating the St Piers estate.
The joint plans include the removal and reuse of vacant and underused buildings, refurbishment and expansion of College facilities for young people with special educational needs and disabilities, as well as the restoration of heritage assets, including two Grade II Listed buildings within the St. Pier’s Estate.
The new retirement village will provide around 150 specialist retirement living units and be home to the Audley Club, which will include a restaurant, spa, gym and wellness studio. Once complete, the village will also offer care and wellbeing services to property owners and members of the local community.
St Piers School and College currently offers special education placements for over 160 children and young people with complex needs, in addition it provides diagnostic and rehabilitation services for around 300 children and young people per year. The charity provides 580 jobs, and the addition of the retirement village to the estate will add further employment opportunities for local people.
The approved plan also incorporates sustainable elements including multiple renewable energy technologies. The scheme will achieve a biodiversity net gain of 35%.
Matthew Nicholson, Planning Director at Audley Group, said: “Young Epilepsy is an important national charity, and Tandridge District Council rightly recognised the importance of securing its legacy, as well as the need for specialist retirement housing with care and wellbeing facilities on site. Lingfield Grange will be another historic site in the Audley portfolio and we look forward to restoring the estate with our usual care and vision.
“The demand for more innovative housing solutions is only growing and this new village and site restoration will grow the local economy while offering significant benefit to the community.”
Mark Devlin, Chief Executive at Young Epilepsy, said: “Young Epilepsy’s presence and specialist services for children and young people have been at the heart of the community for over 125 years and we are delighted that Tandridge District Council has resolved to grant planning permission for our proposed redevelopment at the St Piers estate. Working together with Audley Group, we believe the plans present an opportunity for investment in the growth and improvement of the historic estate.
“This milestone unlocks a raft of essential measures that are desperately needed to ensure we can remain a valued part of the community and continue to work with our staff to support St Piers’ students now and for the long term.”
For more information or spokespeople for Audley Group contact audley@teamspirit.uk.com.
View the press release (170KB PDF file, opens in a new window)