The new rehabilitation centre for servicemen and women planned as a replacement for Headley Court is now a reality. The centre has been designed by leading classical firm John Simpson Architects of London and is backed by the Duke of Westminster, himself a former soldier. Parliament announced the official go-ahead in July 2014 and the contract for this prestigious £250 million construction project is about to be let.

John Simpson Architects were commissioned to design a masterplan for a substantial series of new buildings within the registered historic landscape of the Stanford Hall estate near Loughborough. The buildings have been arranged to form a series of courtyards and external garden spaces providing a conducive environment for the rehabilitation of wounded service personnel. In addition, the practice will be restoring much of the sensitive historic fabric of Grade II* listed Stanford Hall which is at the historic heart of the estate and at the core of the proposals.

The centre will provide facilities for a range of treatments including for trauma rehabilitation, neurological care and a “back to life” capability which will, ensure that for people leaving the centre are fully prepared for life outside.

Listed building consent and planning permission has already been given for the project which will provide 400,000 sq ft of new floor space within a number of buildings, creating a new Defence and National Rehabilitation Centre which will sit comfortably in the surrounding landscape.

Construction is due to start in summer this year and the facilities transferred from Headley Court will be fully operational by 2018.

Published: 10th July 2014