From York Unlocked to 120 Heritage Homes

by | Sep 15, 2025 | Blog, Community, Current Developments, Featured, New Properties, News & Events, P J Livesey News

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September, 2025

Opening the Doors to The Retreat, York

In September we welcomed more than 850 visitors as part of the city-wide York Unlocked heritage event

For the first time in its long history, the public were able to explore this extraordinary site – a place that has overlooked the city for more than two centuries. With 37 acres of landscaped grounds, a peaceful atmosphere, and views stretching to York Minster, it was a rare opportunity to step behind the walls and discover one of York’s hidden landmarks.

A Day of Discovery

The event, organised and promoted by York Unlocked, proved so popular that additional ticket allocations had to be released to meet demand. Visitors followed self-guided routes around the extensive grounds, with information points highlighting the site’s unique heritage and significance.

Many also stepped inside the former Recreation Hall to glimpse its remarkable interiors – a space rarely seen by the public before.

Heritage and Personal Stories

What made the day so special were the personal stories shared by former staff and families connected to The Retreat. Their memories added warmth and depth to the experience, reminding us of the human history woven into every part of this remarkable place.

Looking Ahead

We were delighted to host York Unlocked at The Retreat and are grateful to the volunteers who made the day possible. While this event was part of the city’s wider programme, we are planning our own series of heritage and engagement events, curated by our Events & Engagement Officer, Lucy South, to continue opening up the site to the community.

As development progresses, more areas of The Retreat will be revealed, offering new opportunities to explore and connect with its story.

The Future of The Retreat

The Retreat is now undergoing a transformation. The estate is being sensitively reshaped into a community of 120 characterful heritage homes, steeped in history and retaining many original features. Alongside these, a number of sustainably designed new homes will be created to sit perfectly within their historic surroundings – ensuring this unique site continues to play a role in York’s story for generations to come.

Be Part of the Next Chapter

Our next event will be the October Exclusive VIP Property Preview, offering a first look at this exciting new chapter for The Retreat, York.

👉 Register here to secure your place

You can also sign up to hear about future heritage and community events, so you don’t miss the chance to explore more of this remarkable site.

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Strengthening Partnerships with Homes England

by | Oct 31, 2024 | Blog, Current Developments, Featured, New Properties, News & Events, P J Livesey News, Past Developments, Standish Hospital, Updates

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October, 2024

Strengthening Partnerships & Expanding Horizons with Homes England

We recently welcomed Homes England to our Green Walk development in Standish

Our team recently welcomed Homes England to Green Walk Standish, a picturesque site that represents both our dedication to heritage restoration and the transformative potential of our partnership with Homes England.

The site tour was an invaluable opportunity to showcase our vision for sustainable development and discuss ways to strengthen our ongoing collaboration on future projects.

In June 2024, we were delighted to be appointed as a trusted partner on Homes England’s Delivery Partner Dynamic Purchasing System (DPS). As one of the largest residential land vendors in the uk, Homes England’s DPS offers us unique access to bid on valuable land across the country, so this partnership is a major milestone for us, reinforcing our dedication to quality, sustainable development.

Our discussions with Homes England during their visit emphasised our shared mission to meet the 2025 housing targets through thoughtful design and sustainable practices.

We’re excited about the road ahead and the potential to bring new life to even more sites. Our expertise in restoration and brownfield regeneration has resulted in some of the most unique developments nationwide, from revitalizing historic sites to creating modern, sustainable homes. Projects with Homes England to date include:

The Residence, Dartford, Wharfedale Park, The Residence, Lancaster and Green Walk, Standish.

Each of these developments reflects our commitment to delivering sustainable, high-quality housing that respects the past whilst also building for the future.

For a closer look at our work with Homes England, watch our short film.

If you have a suitable site with similar potential, contact our land and estates team to discuss opportunities to create exceptional homes together.

CONTACT OUR LAND AND ESTATES TEAM
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First Awards from our Community Green Fund

by | Apr 9, 2024 | Blog, Community, News & Events, P J Livesey News, Uncategorised

09
April, 2024

First Awards from our Community Green Fund

We are delighted to announce the first recipients of funding

We are delighted to announce the first recipients of funding from the Ralph Brocklehurst Legacy Fund helping communities improve and maintain their green spaces.

Both projects are in Parbold, close to our latest development, and will enable volunteer residents to brighten their local area this spring and summer.

The first award of £500 will let the Friends of Parbold Station buy a new tiered planter and the plants to fill it for the Southport-bound side of the station.

John Sloane, from the Group said: “Following the removal of a passenger shelter we need a new focal point for the platform and this award will help us provide that.

“We are all incredibly proud of our station in Parbold which is well used by the local community and we want to keep it a bright and colourful place. We are delighted to have the support of the PJ Livesey Group, through the Ralph Brocklehurst Fund, to help us do that.”

The second award of £200 will allow a small but dedicated group of volunteers buy materials and tools for the maintenance of public gardens in Parbold.

The Parbold Tree Warden Group regularly take part in weeding, planting, pruning and litter-picking to make sure the village’s gardens and verges, particularly around protected trees, are looking their best.

The Group needs funds to buy more equipment for their volunteers.

Managing director Georgina Lynch said: “We are really pleased to announce the first recipients and I am sure Ralph would have been delighted to know of the work being done in his name.

“We look forward to receiving more applications to the Fund from charitable groups within five miles of our current developments in Sheffield, Portsmouth and Stroud as well as Parbold.”

Lancaster House on Lancaster Lane was built in 1845 for local industrialist Hugh Ainscough, it was used by the family up until 1929 when it was first rented, then purchased, by The Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur UK, who occupied the 6.5-acre site up until 2021.

The main house is being converted into four grand apartments, while the stable block will become five new homes. Thirteen new build properties are being built within the grounds.

Georgina added: “The gardens of Lancaster House are just as important as the buildings and are being restored and improved to create a place of peace and tranquillity which residents will be able to enjoy.”

To learn more about the Ralph Brocklehurst Fund and how to apply please CLICK HERE

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Launch of Community Green Legacy Fund

by | Feb 22, 2024 | Blog, Community, P J Livesey News, Uncategorised, Updates

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February, 2024

Launch of Community Green Legacy Fund

The Ralph Brocklehurst Legacy Fund set up to help groups and communities

We are very proud to announce the launch of the Ralph Brocklehurst Legacy Fund set up to help groups and communities wanting to improve gardens and green spaces in their local neighbourhood.

The Fund is named to remember and celebrate the life of Ralph Brocklehurst, a key part of the PJ Livesey story over three decades, and passionate gardener who sadly died from cancer in 2022.

Managing director, Georgina Lynch, said: “Ralph had a great love of buildings and gardens and we wanted to honour his memory by helping local communities create or improve their own gardens or green spaces, creating places that people can enjoy.

“Ralph understood the restorative power of plants and gardens and having places, be they large or small, where you can connect with nature is hugely important.

“We always want to enhance the communities where we develop and this is a way to support the work being done by people to improve their local environment.”

Community groups, schools and other organisations within five miles of our on-going developments can apply for a grant of up to £1,000 and the money can be used to purchase tools, plants or to buy professional support.

Applications detailing the project and what the monies will be used for can be made throughout the year and will be awarded twice a year, in March and September.

Georgina added: “We know the power of a community and cannot wait to hear about projects either on-going or that need help to get started and to help them flourish and grow.”

 

CURRENT SITE LOCATIONS ARE:
• Green Walk, Stonehouse, Gloucestershire GL10 3HA
• Tapton Court, Shore Ln, Sheffield S10 3BW
• Kings Court, Macclesfield, SK10 1AP
• St James Hospital, Southsea, Portsmouth, PO4 8LD
• Lancaster House, Parbold, Wigan WN8 7HT

Full application details
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Wreath Laid at Gateway of Remembrance

by | Nov 13, 2023 | Blog, Community, News & Events, P J Livesey News, Uncategorised

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November, 2023

KINGS’ GATEWAY OF REMEMBRANCE

A wreath of poppies was laid at the former King’s School in Macclesfield

A wreath of poppies was laid at the Gateway of Remembrance at the former King’s School in Macclesfield to honour former pupils lost in both World Wars.

The Remembrance Day ceremony was led by members of the town’s Royal British Legion, with four standard bearers, and attended by the Mayor, Cllr Christopher Wilcock.

The gateway – commissioned in memory of former pupils lost in the Second World War – have now been restored and re-erected on the edge of the former cricket field.

PJ Livesey managing director, Georgina Lynch said: “The gateway is a well-loved feature of the King’s School site and will remain part of the new King’s Gate development.

“The Cricket Pavilion – erected in memory of pupils lost in the first World War – is also being retained and will be re-purposed to provide two affordable homes.

“We wanted to mark the repositioning of the gateway and pay our respects over the Remembrance Weekend and would like to thank the Royal British Legion for leading the ceremony and to everyone who attended.”

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The Christie ‘Walk of Hope’

by | Oct 6, 2023 | Blog, Community, P J Livesey News, Uncategorised

04

October, 2023

THE CHRISTIE ‘WALK OF HOPE’ AT TATTON PARK

One Team, One Week, 1,000 Miles!

PJ Livesey colleagues took part in this year’s ‘Walk of Hope’ through Tatton Park to support The Christie hospital in Manchester.

But in typical PJ Livesey style we added to the challenge by committing to walk every day in the week leading up to the walk and also remember and celebrate the life of colleague Ralph Brocklehurst who sadly died from cancer last year.

‘Tread it for Ralph’ saw colleagues clocking up the miles on a treadmill in our Trafford Park HQ entrance throughout the week ahead of the actual walk with a final push tied in with a social event at the offices.

We were aiming for a total of 500 miles but in total walked a staggering 1,368 miles and raised £7,234.

The care Ralph received from The Christie was exceptional and every penny raised will help fund more research and care.

In 2021, we raised £11,000 walking, running and cycling 25,000 miles, ‘Around the World for Ralph’. You can read more about ‘Around the World for Ralph here.

A spokesperson for The Christie said: “It was wonderful to see more than 50 staff and their families join us for our recent ‘Walk of Hope’ event. This is an exceptional turnout from one company and not only is it a lasting testament to a wonderful colleague, but the money raised will make a very real difference to the lives of cancer patients and their families. Well done everyone involved and a huge thank you from all at The Christie.”

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