DEVELOPMENT: COMPLETED 2013 LOCATION: HEATHFIELD CLIENT: GRACE AND COMPASSION BENEDICTINES
Holy Cross Priory, East Sussex
Care Village
Holy Cross Priory, is located at Cross in Hand, East Sussex. The site was occupied by large U-shaped ‘Tudor Gothic’ style mansion built in the 1860s. The original grade II listed building had a complex structure that includes various projecting wings, mullioned windows, turrets, chimneys and an entrance porch over 5/6 floors.
During WWI the house was used as a convalescence home for wounded soldiers. In the 1920s and 30s it was used as a hotel, during WWII a home to the Canadian Army, in the 1950s purchased by the Monks for use as a training school for men entering the priesthood, and, eventually in 1964, sold to the Benedictine Sisters of Grace and Compassion to establish a home for the elderly.
There were later additions to the listed building, mostly dating from the mid-1970s including, modern purpose-built residential buildings, formal lawns ‘italianate’ original garden, woodlands and areas of hard standing, all detracting from the quality of the original house and its setting.
The clients brief was to provide a scheme that would enhance and protect the priory’s potential and design a care village to secure the life of the priory. The design evolved providing a separate 60-bedroom care home, 20 care suites, and self-contained communal facilities, in addition to 20 stand alone apartments designed in a separate block. The accommodation was designed and constructed to accommodate all existing residents on site during the building programme.
The listed building was taken back to its original form, restored and converted into 21 Extra care apartments with communal facilities. The design of the proposed buildings acknowledge and respect the Grade II listed building and the refurbishment will preserve and regenerate the character and appearance of this wonderful building.
The design has successfully linked both modern and traditional buildings, ensuring the presence of the existing Grade II listed building is dominant within the site.
The redevelopment creates a range of accommodation and environments for the residents, families, staff and sisters of Grace and Compassion Benedictines with full accessibility and communal services for all.
The redevelopment creates a range of accommodation and environments for the residents, families, staff and sisters of Grace and Compassion Benedictines with full accessibility and communal services for all.
