Gorleston community hospice for St Elizabeth Hospice submitted for planning
Create are proud to be part of the design team behind St Elizabeth Hospice’s Gorleston community hospice – a vital new facility for St Elizabeth Hospice, which has now been submitted for planning.
We were appointed to the project in early 2024 as part of LSI Architects’ successful bid team, following a competitive tender. LSI were selected as Lead Designer due to their significant, award-winning experience in care-related schemes. Their expertise in designing compassionate, patient-focused environments has helped shape a forward-looking scheme that meets the care needs of the Great Yarmouth and Waveney communities.
Our appointment reflects a long-standing and trusted working relationship with LSI, built on years of successful collaboration. Most recently, we have worked together on the Recovery Hub for Norwich City Football Club and the North Norfolk Macmillan Centre in Cromer.
St Elizabeth Hospice’s Gorleston community hospice includes a 16-bed inpatient unit, outpatient care facilities, bereavement and family support spaces, a rehabilitation gym, and a welcoming café. Guarda Landscape – also part of LSI’s bid team – have designed a sensitive landscape setting that not only complements the tranquil surroundings but also promotes healing, privacy, and dignity.
SUPPORTING THE PLANNING APPLICATION
Create are delivering a wide range of technical services, providing comprehensive multidisciplinary support on the scheme. To support the compilation of a robust and successful planning application, we have provided:
Working closely with LSI and our MEP Building Services team, we developed a structural strategy to support an L-shaped inpatient unit that enhances staff visibility, reduces travel distances, and improves patient care. A two-storey, full steel frame structure with traditional pitched roofs was also selected to streamline the coordination and installation of building services, reduce on-site construction time, and improve overall buildability.
Our transport consultants have helped develop safe, accessible movement strategies, inclusive access and parking arrangements to accommodate staff, visitors, ambulances, and service vehicles in line with Norfolk County Council’s latest guidance. This includes 150 parking spaces, 13 accessible bays, dedicated drop-off zones, and secure cycle storage to support active travel.
Flood Risk, Drainage and Civil Engineering
Working collaboratively, our flood risk and civil engineering teams prepared a sustainable drainage strategy that reflects the site’s natural characteristics and complies with current SuDS and flood mitigation guidance.
In collaboration with our MEP Building Services team, our sustainability consultants supported the integration of energy efficient and low-carbon design measures, including photovoltaic panels and air source heat pumps. The strategy ensures compliance with Great Yarmouth’s Core Strategy Policy CS12, delivering a 10% reduction in carbon emissions.
Geotechnical and Site Investigation
Our geo-environmental engineers were among the first consultants on site, carrying out ground investigations to inform the foundation strategy.
Mechanical, Electrical and Public Health (MEP) Engineering
Working alongside our sustainability consultants, our MEP team has designed efficient, future-ready building systems to deliver patient comfort, energy efficiency, and long-term operational resilience.
LOOKING FORWARD
It has been a privilege to contribute our expertise to a project of such enduring social value. With the planning application now submitted – and Detailed Design already underway – we eagerly await a positive outcome and look forward to continuing our involvement as Gorleston community hospice progresses towards delivery.
