3rd October 2008

Royal Star & Garter Home at Hampton Court One Step Closer

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Chairman of The Royal Star & Garter Homes for disabled ex-Service people, Vice Admiral Sir John Dunt, said that he was delighted with the outcome of last Tuesday's North Area Planning Sub Committee meeting at Elmbridge Council when councillors approved the application to develop the site around Hampton Court Station.

The development, a joint proposal by Gladedale, Network Rail and The Royal Star & Garter Homes, will include residential accommodation, a boutique hotel, a new riverside terrace, refurbishment of Hampton Court railway station and a new state-of-the-art Care Home for the Royal Star &a Garter.

Sir John, who attended the meeting along with Vice President of the Charity Simon Weston, staff, residents and supporters, reiterated the suitability of the site and why he and Governors of the Charity chose it for a new Royal Star & Garter Home.

"Our current home on Richmond Hill is no longer fit for purpose and it is imperative that we move as soon as possible. Hampton Court has long had links with the Charity and borders Richmond where we have been providing care for the ex-Service community since 1916" explained Sir John, "The flat location, proximity to the river and park, excellent transport links and local amenities, make this an ideal location for us."

Sir John continued, "Clearly the care and well being of our residents are paramount. The Medical Director Generals of all three of the armed forces are on our Board of Governors and they have approved the new location. The care we offer is of the highest standard as acknowledged by the Commission for Social Care Inspection which awarded us a top quality 3 star excellent rating. For objectors to suggest that the site would be detrimental to our residents is ludicrous."

Simon Weston, who has just helped to launch the Royal British Legion's Poppy Appeal in Somerset, said, "The Royal British Legion has pledged a &pound;2 million contribution to help build the new home at Hampton Court. But this gift is, of course, dependent on planning being granted and on the home being built within a certain time frame. We cannot afford any further delays and must build this new state-of-the-art home as quickly as possible. It is the delay and uncertainty that is detrimental to our ex-Service residents"