Proposals to build a state-of-the-art hospice on a £40 million housing estate have been officially unveiled.

The vision, which was first announced in 2015, will see Canterbury's outdated Pilgrims Hospice in London Road relocate to a 750-home scheme on farmland behind Cockering Road, in Thanington.

Architects have drawn up blueprints for a 16-bed complex, which includes a garden, orangery and extra accommodation for family members to stay in.

If approved, bosses are hopeful of delivering the building before the end of 2023 in preparation for opening the following year.

The scheme is part of the under-construction Pentland Homes housing development named Saxon Fields, which is one the largest in the city's recent history.

The trustees at the Pilgrims Hospice said: "We’re really pleased that the proposals for a new hospice building have now been submitted to the council.

"Our London Road site is now not as fit for purpose as we would like, and these proposals provide us with an outstanding facility in which to ensure our patients continue to receive the exceptional quality of care they so deserve."

Pentland Properties Ltd - a separate firm to Pentland Homes - will help fund the construction of the new hospice along with Kent-based charity The Tory Family Foundation.

Refurbishing the current London Road base was considered, but a new-build on the other side of the city was deemed the best option to ensure the "highest standards of care" are delivered.

Developer Mark Quinn, who teamed up with Pentland to design the Thanington scheme, believes a "first-class environment" can be created.

"The idea to create the new hospice came about as a result of a personal experience," he said.

"My mother was cared for by the existing Pilgrims Hospice in the city before she passed away.

"The staff are excellent and dedicated to providing outstanding levels of care for hospice residents; a new facility will now provide them with a first-class environment and the ability to provide the most up-to-date cancer care services."

The city council rubber-stamped the housing development in 2016 and the construction on the first 27 homes began last year.

But the scheme - which also includes a new primary school, restaurants and sports pitches - has not been without its controversy.

A number of Thanington residents believe the project is creating a big divide within the community and have previously blamed "inconsiderate" developers over the lack of dust control.

Martin Hart, managing director at Pentland Homes, says it is a "great honour" to propose a new facility for Pilgrims Hospices, and says it will benefit the wider community.

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