Casterbridge Lodge Care Home
Nestled in the heart of Dorset’s National Landscape (former AONB), Casterbridge Lodge is a 34-bedroom Extra Care facility for which Western Design Architects have achieved a full planning permission to significantly extend and enhance for both resident comfort and operational efficiency.
Our approved scheme introduces 12 new bedroom suites for residents, 2 dedicated staff accommodation pods for the convenience of overnight staff, and a beautifully designed new day room that provides a tranquil communal space for residents and fosters a peaceful connection with the surrounding natural environment.
Due to the site’s unique setting, the main new wing is positioned at the front of the site which necessitated a sensitive design approach in achieving a harmonious new building that delivers much-needed space without appearing visually dominant in such a precious landscape.
A carefully curated care home extension
A constructive pre-application process enabled WDA to develop a scheme that not only met the client’s brief but that also capitalised on the site’s natural contours and vistas.
The design harmonises old and new: the new wing mirrors the proportions of the existing structure, while a glazed link and varied roofline create a subtle transition. A carefully curated palette of soft natural materials, timber and stone, enhances the building’s connection with its environment, ensuring that the extension ages gracefully over time. The result unlocks spectacular rural views while making practical use of a previously steep and underutilised part of the site.
Significant care home improvements
Beyond the expansion, numerous enhancements modernise and refine the care home, both inside and out. The sense of arrival has been reimagined with a fully landscaped car park, increased parking capacity, and a new bio-diverse green roof that frames the building’s principal entrance —emphasising accessibility without the need for enlargement. Integrated irrigation measures at the main site entrance have also resolved persistent surface water flooding, improving pedestrian access and the overall visitor experience.
Embracing sustainability and natural landscaping
During the course of the project, a hazardous tree near the site’s front boundary was identified and removed in coordination with Dorset Highways. While this initially left the site more exposed, our collaboration with arboriculturists and ecologists led to an extensive tree-planting initiative, complemented by new hedgerows and wildflower meadows. These efforts not only restore natural screening but also enrich biodiversity, reinforcing the site’s ecological value.
Sustainability is at the heart of this development. Solar photovoltaic panels provide renewable energy, while EV charging points ensure future-ready transport solutions. Strategically placed louvres introduce passive cooling, reducing reliance on artificial climate control and enhancing energy efficiency.
Despite the current regulatory complexities surrounding nutrient neutrality, planning approval was granted in February 2025.
This carefully considered extension breathes new life into an aging facility, transforming it into a modern, environmentally conscious space that enhances resident care while blending harmoniously within its splendid natural surroundings.