72-bedroom care home at 45 Church Street, Buckden, St Neots

“1 RECOMMENDATION 1.1 It is proposed that the Committee RESOLVES That planning permission be granted subject to conditions as set out in Appendix 2. 2 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 2.1 This application seeks planning permission for the demolition of the existing care home and construction of a 72-bedroom care home (Use Class C2), with associated access, parking, plant, landscaping and site infrastructure.”

“3 SITE AND THE PROPOSAL 3.1 The development site is located at Goldenley Care Home, 11-13 Richmond Avenue, Benfleet SS7 5HE. It comprises the full extent of a 4,483-square metre property, measuring approximately 77 metres deep and 80 metres wide, and is sited on the southern side of the sharp bend in Richmond Avenue.”

“3 3.7 A driveway extends from the vehicle access to the building. Eight car parking bays are between the building and the road reserve. A power sub-station and informal external storage areas are located near the car parking area. A residential apartment complex, known as Richmond Court, is across the western side boundary. A 6-metre-wide strip of land is across the northern boundary, and a detached double storey dwelling is to the north of this strip of land.”

“The advice related to a proposed care home development with associated access, car parking and landscaping, comprising a part two-storey part three- storey, 73-resident care home with 30 car parking spaces, including two accessible parking bays, and eight sheltered cycle parking spaces.”

“A dedicated plan to re-house the residents during construction and within the new home, if agreeable to the residents, should be provided as part of a planning application. A tree survey and construction management plan would be desirable to ensure that any mature trees to be kept are to be adequately protected during construction.”

“However, the development would generate a greater benefit for residents in the borough in the long-term through an enlarged caring capacity and modern facilities. There is no evidence that the development would cause a loss in its family atmosphere or that care quality would drop.”

“20 9.12 General support for the proposal, including comment of pre-application discussions between the applicant and Adult Social Care. Comment that the Essex Supported and Specialist Housing and Accommodation Need Assessment (2025) estimates that the need for residential and nursing care home provision in Castle Point is to increase from 84 rooms in 2029 to 227 rooms in 2044.”

“In response to Members' questions, officers clarified matters relating to care home provision within the Borough, vehicle charging infrastructure, water efficiency measures, parking provision, vehicle manoeuvrability, construction impacts, site levels and highway considerations. Officers confirmed that no objections had been received from the relevant statutory consultees.”

“During debate, Members welcomed the additional care home provision, noting the identified need for such facilities within the Borough. Whilst acknowledging concerns regarding construction impacts and the wellbeing of existing residents during redevelopment works, Members were satisfied that these matters had been addressed through the proposed conditions.”

“A Motion moved by Cllr K Bowker and seconded by Cllr J Huntman, that planning permission be granted in accordance with the officer recommendation and subject to the conditions set out in Appendix 2 of the report, was agreed on a show of hands.”