The Retreat
The Retreat involves the residential conversion and redevelopment of a former mental healthcare facility within historic grounds in York. The proposals combine the reuse of listed buildings with new homes and the restoration of the Grade II* registered park and garden.
The Retreat
Heslington Road, York
Client
PJ Livesey Group
Sector
Housing and new settlements, Parks and green spaces
Expertise
Landscape Appraisal, Masterplanning, Hard Landscape Design, Soft Landscape Design, Landscape Management
Randall Thorp prepared the landscape masterplan, working closely with the client team and Historic England to reconcile the conservation of the historic landscape with its future residential use. The approach sought to reflect the site’s distinctive social history and its longstanding connection between landscape, health and wellbeing.
Following planning approval, our commission extended to detailed landscape proposals for the grounds, communal spaces and private gardens. The scope includes reinstatement of historic paths, planting and landscape features, alongside proposals for four themed gardens within the former airing courts: woodland, pillar, health and wellbeing, and paradise gardens.
Landscape management and maintenance planning also forms part of the commission, supporting the long-term care of the restored grounds. The approved scheme provides for public access to the historic park and gardens, allowing the wider community to enjoy a landscape previously closed to the public.
