Planning secured for retirement housing in the New Forest National Park

We are delighted to have secured planning permission for specialist property developer, PegasusLife's first scheme in The New Forest. Situated in The Rise Conservation Area in Brockenhurst, within the New Forest National Park, the development will comprise 24 one and two bedroom apartments exclusively for those over sixty.

The apartments will be split between three villas and a coach house to transform the site of the disused Watersplash Hotel. Sympathetically designed to fit seamlessly with the local landscape, the development will also include cleverly designed internal and external shared spaces designed to help residents and neighbours to easily socialise and create a thriving community.

Commenting on the development, Howard Phillips, CEO, PegasusLife said:

“Brockenhurst is a beautiful place and we’re looking forward to creating homes that are right for the local area and will enrich the lives of the people who will choose to live within our development.

“Having revised the scheme, we are particularly pleased that the Planning Inspectorate has agreed on a proposal that preserves and enhances the character and appearance of this wonderful Conservation Area and is also respectful of the existing hotel building.”

The defining features of the site are the historic house, prominently fronting The Rise, and the mature planting, which features two veteran oaks. To ensure the new development complements the spirit of the surrounding area, the design is a contemporary interpretation of the arts and crafts tradition.

The new accommodation is formed from three new buildings, all subservient in scale to the refurbished and extended character property. Positioned in response to the site constraints, and to fully utilise the site levels, the new buildings have familiar forms and use local materials to achieve a locally distinctive feel to the development. Rather than standard balconies, Snug designed an interstitial space, between gables of louvered timber cladding with traditionally proportioned punched hole apertures and the more generous contemporary openings from the interior. The result is an outside space for each apartment that enjoys a playful dance of light and mediates the interface between modern apartments and this sensitive context.

Snug Architects design director, Paul Bulkeley, commented:

"The design makes a progressive contribution to the New Forest vernacular. We worked hard to create a place that responds sensitively and creatively to the context, enhancing both the period property and character of the area. It will be a stunning place in which to enjoy later living."

PegasusLife is on a mission to make a fundamental change in the way that retirement property is understood and delivered in the UK. In addition to a focus on desirable locations that appeal to those in later life, the business is committed to developing high quality, flexible, well-proportioned living accommodation. PegasusLife offers all homes on a 1000-year lease and will not charge customers exit fees. Property management is provided on a not-for-profit basis.

We are grateful to the team who worked with us to develop the design and secure what is a significant provision of much needed housing in the National Park.