4 April 2007
THE ROYAL STAR & GARTER HOMES JOIN HAMPTON COURT DEVELOPMENT
The Royal Star & Garter Charity for disabled ex-Service men and women, based in Richmond, announced today that it has joined forces with Gladedale (Southeast) Limited and hopes to build a new Royal Star & Garter Home on the Hampton Court Station site by Hampton Court Bridge next to the River Thames.
The site is ideal for the new home as it encompasses excellent transport links and proximity to amenities, with access to a riverside park and river walks for the disabled residents to enjoy. It is also in a very desirable area and borders the Borough of Richmond, which has been the Charity’s home for over 90 years, ensuring links with local volunteers and organisations can be maintained.
The proposed development by Gladedale will include the refurbishment of the Hampton Court station building, housing, a hotel and a riverside terrace. Underground car parking will be available with direct access to the new Royal Star & Garter Home and there will be a new transport interchange, including taxi rank and bus stops, and safer pedestrian and cycle links.
Chief Executive of The Royal Star & Garter, Lynn McDougall, said “This site is perfect for us and would enable our new home to remain in the local area, ensuring the continuation of our traditions and history, and links with the local community. We are working closely with the architects to ensure the plans for the new home fulfil everything we desire for our residents. It is hoped that a planning application will be made for the development in the near future.”
Interestingly, when the Richmond Star & Garter Home was first planned back in 1916, Sir Frederick Treves, Surgeon General to King George V and leader of the Home’s House Committee, stated that he hoped the new Home for disabled Servicemen returning from the battlegrounds of the First World War would be “a Hampton Court Palace for disabled soldiers.” Were he here in the 21st Century, it is certain that Sir Frederick would approve of the chosen site at Hampton Court.
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About the Royal Star & Garter Homes
The Royal Star & Garter Charity provides the very best nursing and therapeutic care to ex-Service men and women in a homely and comfortable environment. We actively encourage residents to be independent and enjoy a full life. In fact we helped pioneer a number of treatment regimes for disabled people which are now standard practice. Founded in 1916, we have operated from one large home in Richmond for over 90 years. The needs of our residents today mean that our old home is no longer suitable, and that is why we plan to build a new network of homes throughout the country. Initially we will build three new homes with the very best facilities, to create places where disabled ex-Service men and women can live the later years of their lives to the full. The success of this project will allow us to continue transforming the lives of ex-Service men and women well into the 21st Century.
FURTHER INFO: Patsy Willis, Director of Fundraising & Public Relations, The Royal Star & Garter Homes.
TEL: 020 8439 8110 or EMAIL: patsy.willis@starandgarter.org