Severn Hospice plans major expansion at Shrewsbury and Telford sites

It intends to build Living Well Centres at its hospice at Oxon, near Shrewsbury, and at Apley Castle, Telford. The centres would house clinics, therapy rooms, a cafe and shop, palliative rehabilitation areas and day rooms. There would also be enlarged office and management spaces.

In Shrewsbury the new two-storey building would be constructed on what is currently an overspill car park and allotments for hospice volunteers. In Telford the Living Well Centre would be an extension to the existing building.

Both new buildings would offer supplementary services to those offered at the current hospice sites.

According to a design and planning statement prepared for submission to Shropshire Council and Telford & Wrekin this week by Gould Singleton Architects of Halesowen, the new centre at Shrewsbury will "form the point of arrival to the combined hospice site, where people may use either the facilities of the new building or go on to use the existing facilities".

Outside, a new car park would be built and a water feature installed to provide a focal point. New trees would also be planted to provide additional screening from the nearby Grade II listed Oxon Hall.

Heather Palin, director of patient services, said: "With a focus on our community services, new Living Well centres at both our Shrewsbury and Telford sites would ensure that we continue to meet the changing needs of our patients now and in the future.

"The plans are part of our long-term care strategy which aims to invest in developing services that patients can access whilst remaining in their own home and as the start of the longer term future-proofing of our hospice facilities.

"The proposed new centres would be used to support people living with any terminal and life-limiting illnesses to live as full a life as possible for as long as possible through the provision of clinics, therapies, palliative rehabilitation, and other daytime activities."

A major fundraising drive is expected to be launched to make the new buildings a reality.

Ms Palin said: "Whilst we are very excited about the prospect of providing a new facility for the people of Shropshire and Telford & Wrekin, the plans are still very much in the early stages .

"Exact timescales and costings for the potential project have not yet been determined.

"Should our planning application be successful, we will need to assess what funds will be required to deliver the project and how we will raise these before we can determine a commencement date."

The plans, which have been submitted to the planning departments of Shropshire Council and Telford & Wrekin this week, will be decided on at a date to be set.