New hospice update

It’s been a busy time since we received news that our outline planning permission had been granted.

We’ve spent time visiting other newly built hospices to gain inspiration about designs and facilities. We have refined the internal design of our new hospice with a focus on maximising efficiency ensuring the layout will meet the future needs of our community.

We are now pleased to confirm that the full planning application to relocate the hospice has been submitted. The application is live on the Maidstone Borough Council planning portal https://pa.midkent.gov.uk/online-applications/ and the reference is: 25/502125/REM  We are anticipating a response from planning in the Autumn.         

Alongside finalising the design, our priority is to secure the financial support we will need to fund the building. We want to thank all those who have already shown interest and supported our plans at this pivotal moment in Heart of Kent Hospice’s history.

Heart of Kent Hospice was founded 34 years ago because the people of this community were resolute in their determination to make palliative and end-of-life care available to terminally ill people and their loved ones. Our need for a new purpose-built hospice grows each week. Our existing hospice building, which was fit for purpose when it opened in 1991, is limited with no room for expansion as we are constrained to the edge of the site.

Our care now covers a catchment area of 226 miles and over 266,000 people. In a few years’ time there will be more older people living in our catchment area.

People are living longer with terminal illnesses - and often with more than one diagnosis. The hospice will be equipped to cope with the increasing demands for palliative and end-of-life care in our community.

The new hospice will be beautiful, welcoming and comforting full of natural light and embodying everything that can be therapeutic and restorative in a building. It will be a sustainable building with strong eco-credentials which cost less to run than the existing building. Our aim is for it to be a special and welcoming hub for our entire community hosting events and activities which offer support, express gratitude, and celebrate achievements.

We will form part of a new development in Linton near Coxheath which is in the centre of our catchment area, making it more accessible to our whole community.