Katharine House Hospice Plans New Patient Bedrooms and Extra Parking

Stafford's Katharine House Hospice has submitted plans to significantly upgrade its facilities, aiming to enhance the comfort, privacy, and dignity of its patients. Two separate planning applications have been lodged with Stafford Borough Council for works at the hospice on Weston Road.

The main proposal is to demolish a small, existing rear extension (47m²) and replace it with a new, larger single-storey wing. This new extension would house five new, larger single bedrooms, each with its own private ensuite bathroom.

According to the Design and Access Statement submitted with the application, the goal is to create a more "peaceful, home-like environment for patients and their families during a critical time". The new rooms will provide more flexible accommodation and improve infection control.

A second, separate application seeks permission to create nine additional car parking spaces at the rear of the property. This is intended to support the hospice's operational needs by providing much-needed extra parking for staff, volunteers, and essential visitors, helping to alleviate existing parking pressures on the site.

Working with Nature The plans are also being carefully considered to protect local wildlife. An ecological report noted that:

• The building due for demolition has a low potential for bats, and a full bat survey has been recommended to ensure they are not present before work begins.

  
  

• To protect nesting birds, any renovation works should ideally take place outside of the main breeding season (March to August).

  
  

• As part of the development, enhancements for wildlife have been suggested, including the installation of two new bat boxes and two new bird boxes on the site.

  
  

Katharine House Hospice provides specialist palliative care for people across our community who are living with incurable illnesses, in a warm and welcoming environment set within peaceful landscaped gardens. The plans are now with Stafford Borough Council for consideration.