Dawson Grange retirement homes, Ripon

Box stand by their convictions for successful police station development

A retirement home design for McCarthy Stone has been described by planning inspectors as ‘entirely appropriate in terms of appearance and scale’ – despite being refused twice by the local authority.

Dawson Grange in Ripon is a development of 28 stylish one- and two-bedroom apartments on the site of a former police station. However, it nearly didn’t happen.

Despite plans to replace the tired, old, flat-roofed police station and vehicle yard with a development we believed substantially improved the built environment, the council had concerns about its location within a conservation area and next to a listed building.

The Box Architects team felt strongly that the development was ‘appropriate’ for the site – and through patience, a clear articulation of the benefits and close collaboration with council planners, the refusals were reversed on appeal.

Today, Dawson Grange fulfils a real need for quality accommodation for the over-60s close to Ripon city centre. As well as the light and spacious apartments, the development includes a communal lounge and a luxurious guest suite.

Box have previously partnered McCarthy Stone on developments in Morpeth, South Shields, Ripon, Darlington, Holcombe Brook, Guisborough and Hexham.

  • Quality accommodation for over-60s
  • Stylish apartments replace empty police station in conservation area
  • Development deemed ‘appropriate for site’ by planning inspectorate