Planning for the field behind the hospice

In 2023, we were able to purchase the field behind the hospice thanks to a donor who left a gift in their Will. We have since created plans to ensure the most effective use of our site for those with life-shortening conditions.

To make the most out of the space, we hope to create 3 areas:

• Therapeutic garden area – for families, patients and visitors to enjoy a private and calming space.
• Staff car parking – to reduce overspill in other areas/on street parking and free up more visitor parking.
• Future land development – to reduce overall running costs and make the hospice more sustainable.

This new therapeutic garden will be peaceful and calming for patients, families and visitors. The aim is to create an adaptable outdoor space that supports bereavement groups (e.g our Walk and Talk Group), offers children and young adults a safe and open area for play and memory‑making, and provides a quiet, meaningful setting for remembrance and sensitive conversations. Working with Layer Studio, we’ve identified key features including all‑weather shelters, accessible pathways (for wheelchairs and beds), private seating areas, open activity spaces, and calming sensory elements.

Currently, car parking at the hospice is limited, with visitors often having to find parking alternatives, including on-street near the main entrance. Part of the plans will include a car parking area for staff use only to free up much-needed visitor parking. The new car park will offer a natural, low‑impact environment with approximately 40 additional spaces, subtle low‑level lighting, and usage focused around shift changeovers. No new vehicular access will be created. Staff will arrive through the existing main entrance and access the new car park from the existing hospice car park.

Mark Elliot, Chair of Trustees at Eden Valley Hospice and Jigsaw, has been overseeing the planning process and application. He explained, “This development will improve what we can provide for patients, visitors and staff, and will benefit the hospice and its users for generations to come. The therapeutic garden will add a whole new dimension to our services for patients and their families, and there is potential to reduce our energy costs through solar development. The car park will free up space for those visiting our site, whether it’s having a stress-free parking experience while seeing a loved one or to support the hospice through Pop-up Cafes or using Meeting Rooms to generate much-needed income.”

We are in the process of exploring options for the land directly next to the car park. We hope this could become an area for solar energy development in the future, as our current solar panels are already reducing our annual energy costs. All other areas of the field are to be left natural.

If you have any questions about this development and the planning permission, please contact: communications@edenvalleyhospice.org