Planning permission granted for Buckinghamshire luxury hotel

Planning permission and listed building consent have been granted for the transformation of the former Penn School in the village of Penn in Buckinghamshire into ‘Rayners Penn’, a luxury boutique hotel and spa.

The multi-million-pound development will breathe new life into the historic estate, creating approximately 150 jobs, including apprenticeship opportunities, and support Buckinghamshire’s growing tourism sector.

It will restore and refurbish the historic Grade II listed buildings on the site, which have fallen into disrepair since the school’s closure in 2015. Plans include converting the listed Rayners House along with complementary extensions and new build to create a 33-bedroom hotel, a fine dining restaurant, bistro, cookery school, wellness spa and rejuvenating the estate’s renowned pleasure gardens. Sustainability is at the heart of the scheme embracing deep green credentials to future proof against climate change and increase biodiversity on site. Net zero carbon is also a key aspiration. 

The Rayners Penn transformation also includes significant investment in the estate’s infrastructure to ensure accessibility and operational efficiency. A dedicated service access will enhance logistics while minimising disruption to the surrounding area, with a focus on sustainable transport solutions such as electric service vehicles and shuttle services for staff and guests. These measures, alongside a sensitive approach to landscaping and maintaining the site’s historic features, reflect the development's commitment to integrating seamlessly with the local community and its protected environment.

Construction is expected to begin in 2025, with the project taking approximately two and a half years to complete.