The latest set of homes for a former Christian retreat and healing centre in a village near on the and East Sussex border have been submitted in a plan. This proposal comes from Tranquil Homes and they've just been lodged with . It would be an adaptation and conversion of two buildings at Burrswood in Groombridge, to create three homes.
. The 104 acres Burrswood is in green belt and the High Weald area of outstanding natural beauty (AONB). It's in the Kent part of Groombridge, or 'Old Groombridge', and is under five miles from Tunbridge Wells.
Burrswood's buildings include 11 cottages, a chapel, and a Grade II listed former hospital, along with formal gardens, grazing land and ancient woodland. Changes to the offices, once used for estate, accounts, fundraising and marketing, and accommodation, known as St Francis and Shalom, and St Lawrence, formerly used as short-term respite or accommodation for guests, would see a garden room added, refurbishment of a glasshouse, and demolition of some stores and an old extension. The two and three-storey St Michael's was built in the 1830s.
The terrace and gardens to the south of St Michael's were listed in 1977. Dorothy Kerin founded Burrswood Christian Hospital in 1948. It offered "whole person care" for 70 years.
There had been a 40-bed hospital, but from 2016, after its closure, the focus was on health and wellbeing. But Burrswood closed in April 2019. It came as a shock to the community, as Burrswood had allowed the public to enjoy the cafe and grounds.
The continues and its website says how Kerin, who had been seriously ill but fully recovered, came to found Burrswood. It said she believed "Jesus Christ was calling her to establish a place where others could receive love and healing through the combined ministrations of medicine (which she regarded as a gift of God) and faith." As , plans to change the use of "care home" St Michael's into 72 "assisted living" apartments were approved by the borough council.
Shared facilities at the scheme for "extra care" include a swimming pool, cafe and dining area, and a function room. KentLive contacted Martin Homes on Tuesday (August 20) for an update on its scheme. On its website, it says: "Martin Homes is currently reviewing the design and build of the development.
The chapel is to remain as it currently is, and the rose garden will continue to be accessible to the relevant parties.".
