70-bed care home at Gregory Mills, Weavers Lane, Sudbury

What was proposed

The application proposed demolishing industrial buildings and constructing a predominantly three-storey, 70-bed nursing care home with parking, access, gardens and landscaping.

“The application seeks full planning permission for the demolition of existing industrial buildings on the site and the construction of a 70-bed care home. The care home would comprise a Class C2 Use (Residential Institutions) which is defined as the provision of residential accommodation and care to people in need of care.”

“The proposed care home building would be predominantly three-stories in scale. There would be a two-storey section fronting Gregory Street, utilising the façade of the existing Gregory Mills locally listed building; behind this the building increases to three-stories with a small element at the northern end dropping down to two stories with a single-storey projection behind. There would also be a two-storey section towards the southeast corner of the building complex.”

Officer report

The site and surroundings

The site is part of the former Vanners Silk site within Sudbury’s settlement boundary and conservation area, near listed and locally listed buildings.

“The site forms part of the former Vanners Silk site in Sudbury and measures approx. 0.52 hectares. The application site comprises solely the western part of the former Vanners site, with the eastern area of land and buildings falling outside of the scope of this application. Whilst both parcels of land are in the same ownership, neither is owned by the applicant.”

“Buildings along Gainsborough Street backing onto the wider former Vanners site, the most notable of which is the Grade I listed Gainsborough’s House. • Grade II listed 1 & 2 Weavers Lane, Weaver’s cottages constructed by the Gainsborough family and now forming part of the birthplace museum dedicated to Thomas Gainsborough. • Grade II listed 11 & 12 Weavers Lane. • Grade II listed Stour House on Stour Street. • Grade II listed 1 & 2 Stour Street.”

Officer report

Who spoke

The committee heard from an objector, a supporter, the applicant and the ward member, with the applicant answering questions about design, agreements, location and future growth.

What members debated

Members debated the building’s height, its relationship with surrounding buildings, noise sensitivity, heritage effects, accommodation need, bulk and public benefits.

“Members debated the application on issues including: the height of the buildings in comparison to surrounding buildings and how this contributed to a varied townscape, and the noise sensitive use of the development.”

“Members continued to debate the application on issues including: the heritage issues including concerns over the damages to the setting of historic buildings and the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) Guidance on such matters, the need for the type of accommodation in the area, the height and bulk of the development, and the public benefits.”

Minutes

The vote

Councillors voted by five votes to two in favour of granting planning permission.

“It was RESOLVED: Delegate to Chief Planning Officer to GRANT planning permission subject to:”

Minutes

The decision

Permission was delegated for approval, subject to a travel-plan and noise agreement, detailed conditions, and refusal if the agreement was not progressed within six months.

“S106 for travel plan, and to secure noise report/mitigation…”

“Conditions including: • Standard time limit • Approved plans • Materials TBA • LLFA conditions - implementation of approved SW strategy; Construction Surface Water Management Plan TBA; SW drainage verification report. • Highways and Travel Plan conditions - parking to be implemented as approved; Travel Plan TBA. • Archaeology - written scheme of investigation and programme of archaeological work; details of foundations TBA; results of investigation to be submitted.”

Minutes