Originally published in 2020:
WS Planning of Reigate are considering submitting their designs of our facilities for the Architect’s Journal Retrofit Awards:
WS Planning state;
Each development has its own unique set of circumstances that shapes its outcome from inception to completion. The entire WS Team has been involved in this project which took us on a journey to retrofit a former public house to provide a state of the art Hydrotherapy and Physiotherapy Centre.
Through two pre-application submissions, lengthy community engagement exercise and planning process including speaking at Committee, S73 application to vary the permission, conditions and building control applications and complicated build we are so pleased to see the doors are now finally open at Lymden Hydrotherapy and Physiotherapy Centre in South Reigate.
Heather and Mark Epps have looked for a permanent home for their Practice for a number of years and took a chance at auction when they saw this run down former public house listed for sale. Having been gazumped on numerous occasions on sites they secured the premises prior to planning demonstrating nerve and perseverance that would have been too much for many. Retrofitting a historic building like this takes vision and determination in equal measure. With our assistance they have truly unlocked the potential of the building and created a marvellous facility that will greatly benefit the local community.
Dr Heather Epps is a leading clinician, medicolegal expert, researcher (PhD in aquatic physiotherapy (hydrotherapy)) with an MSc in exercise physiology and fitness testing in cerebral palsy. Until now she has only been able to help her clients by using a variety of far flung hydrotherapy pools and was constantly on the road.
The new Centre will enable her Practice to have a focal point that will allow more people to benefit from their expertise. They always anticipated reaching out to the local community with their Practice and are already assisting Water Babies (East Surrey) and Active Care Group as the first community groups to benefit from the Centre. We look forward to watching this successful Practice blossom as word of mouth spreads and their influence grows.
Spencer Copping
WS Planning
