Gaunt Francis Architects have secured planning approval for Audley Villages’ Scarcroft scheme.

Gaunt Francis Architects are thrilled to have received planning approval for a care community of 172 residential homes in the village of Scarcroft in Yorkshire. Located some 8 miles North of Leeds, the 20-acre site was the former location of N Power’s Head Quarters.

We were commissioned by Audley to prepare designs for a new retirement village centred around Scarcroft Lodge. The lodge is a 19^th century grade II Listed manor in need of extensive repair and is set within landscaped grounds designated as a major development site within the Greenbelt.

The proposed scheme consists of 172 two-bedroom units for Audley Retirement, comprising the conversion of the Listed Building, together with new build apartments and cottages.  The design reflects traditional local buildings in stone and render, which are integrated into the landscape using stone walls.  The pattern for the village is a domestic scale central street opening up to a number of courtyards with a variety of different characters owing to the combination of walls, buildings and landscaping in each space; all the while maximising the valuable countryside views to the South.

The scheme will also feature a library, lounge, restaurant, bar & bistro and private dining room, as well as reception and guest suites. The Health & Well-being extension will be designed sympathetically to the historic building and will includes a club pool, treatment rooms, salon and gymnasium for residents.

Gaunt Francis Architects Director, Gavin Birt, said: “We are thrilled to receive planning consent for Audley’s Retirement Village at Scarcroft. This is a fantastic opportunity to showcase that place-making is central to a quality design. To be able to create a full community with traditional buildings (with contemporary twists) and homes for our retirement population is a privilege indeed”.