Planning permission has been granted to transform the former Penn School in Penn, Buckinghamshire, into a luxury boutique hotel and spa called Rayners Penn.
The multi-million-pound development will restore and refurbish the site’s historic Grade II listed buildings, which have fallen into disrepair since the school closed in 2015.
The plans include converting the listed Rayners House and adding complementary extensions and new build to create a 33-bedroom hotel, a fine dining restaurant, bistro, cookery school and wellness spa. The estate’s pleasure gardens will also be rejuvenated.
Duncan Ball, CEO of Rayners Penn, said: “Our vision for Rayners Penn is to create a world-class retreat that reflects the estate’s historic grandeur while embedding sustainability in every aspect of its design. The project will provide lasting benefits to the wider community, and we are excited to see it move forward.”
Sarah Moorhouse, associate director at Lichfields, added: “This project has been a great example of how heritage conservation and sustainable development can work hand in hand. Securing permission for a scheme within such a sensitive planning context required careful consideration and collaboration with Buckinghamshire Council and the local community. Rayners Penn will bring substantial benefits to the area while preserving the estate’s rich history.”
Construction is expected to begin in 2025 and it is anticipated the project will take approximately two and a half years to complete.
