Resolution to grant planning permission at Caversham Park

Specialist retirement developer, Beechcroft, has achieved a resolution to grant planning permission, subject to a S106 agreement being completed, for the redevelopment of Caversham Park.

Following two years of extensive public consultations and liaison with various interested parties including The Berkshire Garden Trust and residents’ groups, Beechcroft has been granted permission to create a collection of retirement properties, assisted living accommodation, affordable housing and a new care home within this 93-acre estate.

For the first time in the history of Caversham Park, the public will be able to access the Registered Park & Garden and enjoy the use of sports facilities including a cricket pitch, tennis courts and a croquet lawn. A pavilion on site will be extended to incorporate a museum and cafe.

The Grade II listed Caversham Park House was built in 1850 as a family home. During World War I, it became a convalescent home for wounded soldiers and, later, home to the Oratory School. From 1943 to 2018, it became the headquarters of BBC Monitoring which reports and analyses open source news media from around the world. Under Beechcroft’s new proposals, the house will be sympathetically restored and carefully converted to create 65 assisted living apartments. Beechcroft, a company known for award-winning restoration and conversion projects, will reinstate and preserve the building’s period features and beautiful detailing.

The redevelopment of the site will also involve the removal of modern buildings and twentieth century satellite dishes and the construction of a new, purpose-built, two-storey care home providing 64 beds for the frail elderly and those living with dementia. A collection of 41 elegant new homes, designed exclusively for the over 55s, will be created within the landscaped grounds and 27 affordable family homes will be built in an enclosed field just off Peppard Road. The existing gatehouse and Bursars Lodge are also being converted to 4 new homes.

“We are delighted to have received a resolution to grant planning permission, subject to a S106 agreement being completed for our Caversham Park development,” comments Chris Thompson, Beechcroft’s Managing Director. “We will be able to secure a sustainable future for the historic buildings and to create high-quality new and converted homes for people over the age of 55, including affordable family homes for sale and rent which will help meet both local and national housing needs. We have extensive experience in the sympathetic renovation and restoration of listed properties and our new development will respect both the original buildings and the parkland setting, which is an important feature of this site.”

“The development will also bring improvements to the landscaped setting. The Edwardian summerhouse will be refurbished, historic terraces will be reinstated, the orchard will be restored, providing opportunities for growing fruit for both residents and the wider community, the woodland will be carefully managed and wildlife habitats enhanced,” continues Chris Thompson. “Twice a year, the public attending Open Day events at Caversham Park House will be able to take a look around the communal areas of Caversham Park House – as well as being able to enjoy the landscaped gardens and the sports and community facilities on a daily basis.”

For further information on Caversham Park, please contact Beechcroft on 01491 743083.