Harrogate’s Grove House set for £15m transformation

“One of Harrogate’s most historic buildings looks set to be brought back to life as a major new care home and community facility. Grove House, a grade two listed building opposite the fire station on Skipton Road, was the home of Victorian inventor, philanthropist and mayor Samson Fox.

The building was then used as a hospital during the First World War and shortly afterwards was acquired by the Royal Antediluvian Order of Buffaloes. Springfield Healthcare’s Chief Executive Graeme Lee, bought the six-acre site from the Buffaloes three years ago for more than £3m and now wants to invest £15m to create what he calls “the holy grail of care”, combining high quality facilities for residents with extensive community use.

Grove House will be converted to accommodate 23 independent living apartments. In addition, a 70-bed care home and eight houses providing supported living for over-65s will be built on land alongside Grove House.

Schoolchildren from nearby Grove Road Community Primary School will be invited to participate regularly in activities alongside residents and use the gardens for study and play.

Graeme Lee said “We are in a difficult period. As a business owner in Harrogate I want to do all I can to help the community. I’m driven by that and Grove House achieves that by giving back to the community and school. My 28 years in care has led me to this.”

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