York Plans Endorsed by Historic England

by | Jan 27, 2023 | Blog, Current Developments, News & Events, Planning Consultation, Planning Granted, Planning Information, Uncategorised, Updates

27

January, 2023

YORK PLANS ENDORSED By Historic England

We are very pleased to have their public support for our plans for the Retreat

Historic England – the public body tasked with protecting the country’s built heritage – has voiced its support for our plans to transform The Retreat buildings at Heslington Road, in York.

We have worked closely with them since being named preferred developer for the 30-acre site and the detailed plans to convert the buildings to residential are now being considered by York City Council.

PJ Livesey Managing Director, Georgina Lynch, said: “Restoring and converting historic listed buildings is in our DNA and we always work closely with Historic England and value their officer’s input. We are very pleased to have their public support for our plans for the Retreat which we believe provide a sympathetic and sensitive new life for these wonderful buildings and the grounds.”

The Retreat was founded in the 18th century by the Quakers to provide pioneering mental health treatment based around care, purpose and outdoor recreation.

In-house services were ended in 2018 with new mental health provision by The Retreat offered from alternative locations.

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Heslington Road Estate site

by | Nov 12, 2022 | Blog, New Properties, News & Events, Planning Information, Recently Acquired, Updates

12

NOVEMBER, 2022

HESLINGTON ROAD ESTATE

Detailed plans have now been submitted

Detailed plans have now been submitted to York City Council for the conversion of the estate’s historic buildings to residential and the protection and enhancement of the grounds and landscape.

The application follows detailed discussions between the preferred developers, the PJ Livesey Group, and Historic England, heritage officers and planning officials together with wide consultations with the general public.

The plans would see the listed buildings converted to create 84 residential properties and there would also be a small number of new build homes, including a new gate house.

The Recreation Hall would be retained and restored as a multi-use space.

Land Director, James Woodmansee, said: “Since being named as preferred developer for this unique asset we have listened closely to the views of

heritage experts, local planners and local people and initial plans have significantly evolved.

“We believe the proposals now submitted will not only preserve the unique character of the estate but also provide York with homes of history and quality.

“The grounds, including a flourishing orchard, would be maintained and the Quaker Burial Ground would be unaffected by the proposals.

“Heslington Road is a very special place which has played a significant role in York’s history and these proposals will respect that with plans for a heritage trail telling the story of The Retreat.”

Detailed plans have now been submitted to York City Council for the conversion of the estate’s historic buildings to residential and the protection and enhancement of the grounds and landscape.

The application follows detailed discussions between the preferred developers, the PJ Livesey Group, and Historic England, heritage officers and planning officials together with wide consultations with the general public.

The plans would see the listed buildings converted to create 84 residential properties and there would also be a small number of new build homes, including a new gate house.

The Recreation Hall would be retained and restored as a multi-use space.

Land Director, James Woodmansee, said: “Since being named as preferred developer for this unique asset we have listened closely to the views of heritage experts, local planners and local people and initial plans have significantly evolved.

“We believe the proposals now submitted will not only preserve the unique character of the estate but also provide York with homes of history and quality.

“The grounds, including a flourishing orchard, would be maintained and the Quaker Burial Ground would be unaffected by the proposals.

“Heslington Road is a very special place which has played a significant role in York’s history and these proposals will respect that with plans for a heritage trail telling the story of The Retreat.”

Carving out History at Tapton Court

by | Nov 7, 2022 | Blog, Current Developments, News & Events, Recently Acquired, Sales Information

07
November, 2022
CARVING OUT HISTORY AT TAPTON COURT

Traditional stone masonry skills are helping to bring Tapton Court back to its glorious best

Stephen Spence and his team from Elite Masonry Contracts have remade intricate balustrades, balcony posts and new gate pillars for the Italianate style villa in the Ranmoor district of the city.

The magnificent property – once said to have hosted King Edward VII when he was Prince of Wales – is being restored and converted to create 14 grand apartments.

Stephen, said: “It is a huge honour to work on a project like this. We are replicating stone work first designed and carved back in 1868 and putting it back together like a giant 3D jigsaw.

“Tapton Court is a magnificent property with wonderful views out over the city and as well as repairing we are repointing every piece of stone in its exterior and creating a new entrance from Shore Road with a rebuilt wall and new gate pillars.”

The stone comes from Witton Fell and is then hand carved in Elite’s workshop before being installed back on site.

Stephen said: “The pieces for the balustrade which frames the terrace are all hand carved by our stonemasons then brought back and installed. The property has some magnificent features like the wide flight of stone steps leading to the front door, the tower with its stained-glass window and a balcony off the first floor which has amazing views.

“It is wonderful to be able to bring a piece of the city’s history back into use.”

And Tapton Court does have an interesting history to tell.

Originally built for steel magnate John Henry Andrew, the property was sold ten years later to Henry Steel, a self-made millionaire and friend of King Edward VII who was said to have visited and stayed at the Villa when he was Prince of Wales.

After making his fortune as a bookmaker Steel purchased a steel manufacturing businesses and after acquiring several more went on to be chairman of United Steel Companies.

Steel died in 1918 and the property was sold two years later to Albert Victor Derry.

Born in Manchester of German descent and christened Albert Kochs, he took his mother’s maiden name during the second world war. Derry was a prolific industrialist, developing a Coke Oven company, a tar company, he made concrete blocks and finally set up an engineering and construction company.

He and his wife Olga lived at Tapton until 1931 when they moved to Bristol.

Albert died not long after and his wife Olga sold the Tapton Court estate to a charitable trust as a nurses’ home with two new wings added in 1936.

It was later bought by the University of Sheffield to provide student accommodation with a new annexe added in the 1980’s. It closed in the early 2000’s and was badly damaged by fire in 2010 before being placed on the Council’s ‘At Risk’ Register.

Steve and his team will also be working on two other listed building on the site, the original stable block and the gate house on Shore Road which will become individual properties. A separate apartment block is also being transformed and there will be three individual new build houses.

Our heritage architect Bill Bayliss said: “Tapton is a very special property, built in a grand style with a magnificent hallway and staircase which will be restored to serve the new apartments.

“The work done by skilled craftsmen, like the stone masons, is an example of the pride we take in bringing buildings like this back into use.

“The new homes we are creating here will have some wonderful original features, tall ceilings, big windows and that true sense of history.

“It is a complicated project but the end results will be magnificent.”

Tapton Court is due to be launched for sale early in 2023.

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Plans to be Revealed for Legacy site in York

by | Oct 6, 2022 | Blog, Community, News & Events, P J Livesey News, Planning Information, Recently Acquired, Uncategorised

06

OCTOBER, 2022

PLANS TO BE REVEALED FOR LEGACY SITE IN YORK

After detailed discussions with Historic England, York City Council and stakeholders we can now share detailed proposals for The Heslington Road Estate in York.

Consultation Open Days will be held at the site next week and we look forward to getting people’s feedback and views.

The 13-acre estate was integral to the pioneering work of The Retreat, established in 1796 by Quaker William Tuke, who believed physical and mental health were linked and created a place where the grounds offered recreation facilities to support mental health care.

It was brought to market when in-patient services on the site ceased and new centres of excellence for outpatients established in other locations in addition to Heslington Road.

Redevelopment of the buildings to create a high quality residential scheme is the most appropriate way of securing the long-term future of these significant buildings and the wider site.

PJ Livesey board director, James Woodmansee, said: “Ideas have been developed in consultation with heritage experts and stakeholders over the last 10 months and we are now at a stage where we can share them with neighbours and the wider community.

“We believe this is a unique opportunity to create a really special residential scheme, preserving the legacy of William Tuke, not just with the buildings but with the grounds.

“We are very keen to get feedback on our plans and look forward to hearing people’s views as we move forward with proposals.”

The proposals in brief:

• Conversion of the main hospital complex into 65-75 homes
• Conversion of Garrow Hill House into 6-8 homes
• Conversion of Home Farm into 2-5 homes
• Conversion of Spring Lodge, East Villa and Garrow Hill Coach House into individual homes
• The conversion of the former Recreation Hall to a residents’ Club Room that could also be used by the community
• Construction of 10-20 new build, family homes
• Extensive landscape restoration throughout the site and a dedicated Heritage Trail

A dedicated Heslington Road Estate website can be viewed here: https://heslingtonroadestate.co.uk/

 

The Consultation Open Days will be held within the former Recreation Hall at Heslington Road Estate, York, on:
Wednesday 12th October – 14:30 – 19:30
Thursday 13th October – 14:30 – 19:30

After detailed discussions with Historic England, York City Council and stakeholders we can now share detailed proposals for The Heslington Road Estate in York.

Consultation Open Days will be held at the site next week and we look forward to getting people’s feedback and views.

The 13-acre estate was integral to the pioneering work of The Retreat, established in 1796 by Quaker William Tuke, who believed physical and mental health were linked and created a place where the grounds offered recreation facilities to support mental health care.

It was brought to market when in-patient services on the site ceased and new centres of excellence for outpatients established in other locations in addition to Heslington Road.

Redevelopment of the buildings to create a high quality residential scheme is the most appropriate way of securing the long-term future of these significant buildings and the wider site.

PJ Livesey board director, James Woodmansee, said: “Ideas have been developed in consultation with heritage experts and stakeholders over the last 10 months and we are now at a stage where we can share them with neighbours and the wider community.

“We believe this is a unique opportunity to create a really special residential scheme, preserving the legacy of William Tuke, not just with the buildings but with the grounds.

“We are very keen to get feedback on our plans and look forward to hearing people’s views as we move forward with proposals.”

The proposals in brief:

• Conversion of the main hospital complex into 65-75 homes
• Conversion of Garrow Hill House into 6-8 homes
• Conversion of Home Farm into 2-5 homes
• Conversion of Spring Lodge, East Villa and Garrow Hill Coach House into individual homes
• The conversion of the former Recreation Hall to a residents’ Club Room that could also be used by the community
• Construction of 10-20 new build, family homes
• Extensive landscape restoration throughout the site and a dedicated Heritage Trail

A dedicated Heslington Road Estate website can be viewed here: https://heslingtonroadestate.co.uk/

 

The Consultation Open Days will be held within the former Recreation Hall at Heslington Road Estate, York, on:
Wednesday 12th October – 14:30 – 19:30
Thursday 13th October – 14:30 – 19:30

Cotswold Estate Reveals First Heritage Homes

by | Jul 7, 2022 | Blog, Current Developments, News & Events, Sales Information, Standish Hospital, Updates

07

July, 2022

COTSWOLD ESTATE REVEALS FIRST HERITAGE HOMES
Show Home Event Weekend Saturday 9th & Sunday 10th July • 10am until 4pm

The first conversion properties at our Green Walk development at Stonehouse in Gloucestershire are being revealed this weekend. (July 9/10)

We are opening the doors of two stunning properties show casing The Residence – an Art Deco style building that has been skilfully converted to create 11, three bedroom houses and two grand apartments.

These stunning homes enjoy an enhanced Heritage Range specification befitting their character with taller skirting boards, superior kitchen range and hard flooring.

The houses have four sets of bi-fold doors, at ground floor leading out onto a private garden and from the first-floor bedrooms opening onto a balcony with the original curved metal balustrade.

Prices start at £579,950

Group sales manager Gavin Pearce said: “The Residence sits at the back of the 30-acre site with uninterrupted woodland views at the front.

“The distinctive building has been converted with much thought and care to create homes that respect the history and style of the building.

“Having bi-fold doors on both levels really opens up the properties to make the most of the magnificent, mature woodland setting.

“Six of the properties have already been reserved off plan and we cannot wait to open the doors of the show homes and let people see the character and quality on offer.”

The two large apartments sit at the apex of the building’s two wings and offer truly unique accommodation with one accessed by the original Art Deco staircase and the other boasting a large private garden.

They are priced from £674,950

The Residence is one of four Listed buildings on The Standish Estate that we are converting to create beautiful homes of character.

We are also building new homes ranging from two-bedroom mews to large detached family properties.

Gavin added: “The first phase of new build homes is now completely sold out and it is lovely to see the first residents enjoying life at Green Walk, Standish.

“We expect similar demand for the conversion properties and also the next release of new build homes which will include three bedroom semi-detached houses and mews homes perfect for first time buyers wanting to put down roots somewhere very special.”

Situated in an elevated location just outside the village of Stonehouse, The Residence is approached via a sweeping tree-lined drive from where there are distant views to the Severn Estuary.

Stonehouse train station has direct rail routes into London and the town is five minutes from the thriving centre of Stroud. Gloucester, Cheltenham and Swindon are all within an easy commute.

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Landscape Tour of The Retreat Estate

by | Jun 21, 2022 | Blog, Community, News & Events, P J Livesey News, Recently Acquired, Updates

21
JUNE, 2022
LANDSCAPE TOUR OF THE RETREAT ESTATE

Book onto a ‘Talk and Tour’ event for free and explore this exceptional site

We are hosting a day long series of tours around the grounds of The Retreat estate on Heslington Road at York to explore how the land has changed and developed over the years.

Landscape architects Randall Thorp are working with us on future proposals for the estate and will discuss how the 13-acre estate has gone from turnip field to formal garden and orchard and what influenced the changes.

The estate was integral to the work of The Retreat, established in 1796 by Quaker William Tuke, who believed mental health was linked with physical activity and created a place where the grounds offered recreation facilities to support the mental health care.

In patient services offered by The Retreat closed in 2018 and new centres of excellence for outpatients have been established in other locations in addition to Heslington Road.

We are hoping to convert the Grade II * listed buildings to residential use with the majority of the grounds opened up to the public.

There are proposals for a heritage trail around the perimeter and plans for a peace and tranquillity garden. The Quaker burial ground will be unaffected and continue.

Randall Thorp partner Dick Longdin said: “The Heslington Road estate is a landscape treasure and because of its previous sensitive use one that many people in York are unaware of. The task now is to open as much of the grounds as possible for the public to enjoy while retaining private spaces for the new residents.”

PJ Livesey Group joint managing director Georgina Lynch said: “Heslington Road is a special place and we want to respect and celebrate its heritage while also looking at how it can be opened and maintained for wider use.”

Three ‘Talk and Tour’ events will take place on Saturday June 25th starting at 10am – 12.30pm and 2.30pm.

The tours are free but places must be reserved through Eventbrite

BOOK ONTO TOUR

We are hosting a day long series of tours around the grounds of The Retreat estate on Heslington Road at York to explore how the land has changed and developed over the years.

Landscape architects Randall Thorp are working with us on future proposals for the estate and will discuss how the 13-acre estate has gone from turnip field to formal garden and orchard and what influenced the changes.

The estate was integral to the work of The Retreat, established in 1796 by Quaker William Tuke, who believed mental health was linked with physical activity and created a place where the grounds offered recreation facilities to support the mental health care.

In patient services offered by The Retreat closed in 2018 and new centres of excellence for outpatients have been established in other locations in addition to Heslington Road.

We are hoping to convert the Grade II * listed buildings to residential use with the majority of the grounds opened up to the public.

There are proposals for a heritage trail around the perimeter and plans for a peace and tranquillity garden. The Quaker burial ground will be unaffected and continue.

Randall Thorp partner Dick Longdin said: “The Heslington Road estate is a landscape treasure and because of its previous sensitive use one that many people in York are unaware of. The task now is to open as much of the grounds as possible for the public to enjoy while retaining private spaces for the new residents.”

PJ Livesey Group joint managing director Georgina Lynch said: “Heslington Road is a special place and we want to respect and celebrate its heritage while also looking at how it can be opened and maintained for wider use.”

Three ‘Talk and Tour’ events will take place on Saturday June 25th starting at 10am – 12.30pm and 2.30pm.

The tours are free but places must be reserved through Eventbrite.

BOOK ONTO TOUR