Liverpool City Council's planning committee has approved the expansion of Claire House Hospice in West Derby, enabling the transformation of the former Carmelite Monastery site into a round-the-clock care facility for seriously ill babies, children, and young adults.
Planning Approval Details
The decision, signed off on June 30, 2026, allows for a two-storey extension to the side and a single-storey extension to the rear of the existing building on Honey's Green Lane. A linked walkway will be installed alongside new hard and soft landscaping, following partial demolition of the current structure.
Claire House was granted the site in 2017 and has since carried out minor internal refurbishments to provide daycare facilities. The new development will add bedrooms for overnight respite services, private suites for families to spend time with their child after death, and therapeutic spaces including a hydrotherapy pool.
Impact on Families
David Pastor, Claire House chief executive, told the committee that work to expand the service has been ongoing since 2014. He revealed that around 500 children were supported by Claire House in 2025 alone. “The new building must honour the past while creating a legacy for the future,” he said, adding that it will help families “through the very best and the most difficult of times”.
Distance has long been a major barrier for families, who often faced long journeys to the charity's Wirral hospice. The new facility is within walking distance of Alder Hey Children's Hospital, reducing travel time and allowing families to spend more time together.
Next Steps
Claire House will now move into the next phase, raising funds and support to bring the essential facility into a full hospice for Liverpool's children and families. Speaking after permission was granted, Mr Pastor said: “We are absolutely delighted that planning permission has now been approved. Every day at Claire House, I’m reminded that when a baby, child or young adult is seriously ill, there is only one chance to get their care right. We cannot change a diagnosis or stop children dying but we can make sure families feel supported, understood, and surrounded by compassion when it matters most.”
