Nursing home extension at Silverways, Silver Way, Christchurch

What was proposed

A two-storey extension and single-storey link would create a connected 10-bedroom care home wing, with a replacement footpath and covered cycle store.

“The proposal involves the erection of a 2-storey extension to the existing nursing home to create a linked, 10-bedroom care home wing. A single‐storey link is also proposed which will connect the new extension to the existing nursing home. The development extends from the southern elevation of the existing care home.”

“A new footpath is proposed to replace the existing and a new covered cycle store for 10 bikes is also proposed for staff to be placed on existing hard standing on the western side of the site.”

Officer report

The site

The nursing home is in a mainly residential area, surrounded by homes, with mature trees, landscaped grounds and parking accessed from Silver Way.

“The application site comprises an established nursing home premises located at the north extent of Silver Way, within an area which is primarily residential in use. The site is surrounded by residential development on all sides. The premises occupy a landscaped setting where there are a number of mature trees and is a brick-built structure, two storeys in height and presenting a multi winged layout which span across the site.”

Officer report

Earlier applications

An earlier similar proposal was dismissed on appeal after concerns about overlooking and loss of privacy, and the current design was intended to address those concerns.

“This is a second submission following a previous application which the council failed to determine within the relevant time period. A non-determination appeal was subsequently lodged and was dismissed on the grounds that the proposal would cause harm to the living conditions of neighbouring occupiers in respect of overlooking of a neighbouring residential dwelling.”

“The current proposal has been designed to address these reasons for the dismissal of the appeal.”

Officer report

What officers recommended

Officers recommended conditional permission, subject to a legal agreement for biodiversity monitoring fees and planning conditions.

“- satisfactory completion of a Legal Agreement necessary to secure the BNG monitoring fees; and - the following planning conditions (below)”

“RECOMMENDATION III - That delegated authority be granted to the Head of Planning Operations to refuse planning permission if a Legal Agreement has not been satisfactorily completed within three months of the date of this resolution.”

Officer report

Main planning issues

The main issues were the principle, design, residential amenity, parking and access, trees, biodiversity, heathland, New Forest mitigation and nutrient neutrality.

“The key issue(s) involved with this proposal are: • Principle of development • Design, form and scale and impact on visual amenities of the area • Impact upon residential amenities • Parking and Access • Trees and Landscaping • Biodiversity, Heathland and New Forst Mitigation and Nutrient Neutrality…”

Officer report

Consultation responses

Highways, biodiversity, trees and landscaping raised no objection subject to conditions, while the parish council objected over site intensity and parking.

“Natural England: No objection subject to mitigation being secured. Wessex Water: None received 18. Highcliffe & Walkford Parish Council: Object for the following reasons: - • Over intensification of the site. • No additional parking planned for additional staff members required/visitors. received 19. BCP Highways: No objection subject to conditions. BCP Biodiversity: No objection to application in principle, additional details now provided.”

Officer report

Who spoke

The applicant and a representative speaking on the applicant’s behalf addressed the committee, while no objectors or ward councillors were registered to speak.

The committee’s decision

The committee granted permission in line with the officer recommendation, voting eight for, none against and one abstention.

“RESOLVED to GRANT permission in accordance with the recommendation set out in the officer’s report…”

Minutes