54-bed care home at Mountford House Care Home, Cyril Road, Truro

What was proposed

The application proposed replacing the former care home with a 54-bed care home, parking, access improvements and landscaped gardens.

“Information Classification: PUBLIC 2. The proposal is submitted by Sanctuary Housing, a not-for-profit registered provider and part of the Sanctuary Group, which is an established national organisation with a proven track record in delivering and operating modern and high-quality care and supported housing. Sanctuary Housing intends to both deliver and manage the proposed care home on a long-term basis, ensuring continuity, stability, and high standards of care provision.”

“One of Cornwall’s principal challenges is the shortage of certain types of care home capacity with Cornwall currently experiencing declining care home provision, with an average net loss of 25 beds per year over the last 4 years. Demand is close to outstripping available supply and there is a danger that Cornwall Council will not be able to meet its statutory requirements under the Care Act of 2014.”

Officer report

The site

The cleared brownfield site lies within Truro, is surrounded by homes, and would continue to use Cyril Road for access.

“The site previously comprised a care home housing 36 units. However, this closed in 2022 as the accommodation was deemed no longer fit for purpose, nor viable. This building has recently been demolished and the site cleared.”

“As noted above, the building sits centrally within the site and is surrounded by predominantly residential dwellings on all site boundaries. The site will continue to be accessed via Cyril Road, a private road, from the south. The principal elevation of the building is orientated to the east and would overlook the proposed parking area.”

Officer report

Earlier proposals and history

The former 36-room care home closed in 2022, while the current scheme was reduced from 57 to 54 beds after earlier concerns.

“The original submission for a 57 unit scheme raised concerns principally over residential amenity considerations by Officers and neighbours and the need for further assessment to be undertaken. In order to seek to address Officer and neighbour concerns, a revised proposal was submitted and re-consulted upon. The scheme now under consideration has a reduced gross internal floor area of 3,140.6 m2 (the previous proposal was 3,238.3 m2).”

“PA24/05379 - Prior Approval for the Demolition of vacant 35 bed care home closed in 2022 to allow for redevelopment of site – Prior Approval Not Required • PA24/00270/PREAPP - New TPO request for 1x mature Magnolia tree. - Closed • PA23/00599/PREAPP - Pre-application advice for the demolition and redevelopment of the site as a Care Home - Closed • C1/C6525934H - Erection of old persons home – Unconditional Permission…”

Officer report

Consultation responses

Following amendments, the city council supported the scheme, highways raised no objection, and other consultees generally accepted it subject to conditions, although environmental protection objected over noise.

“Following amendments, the Council withdrew its objection and offered support, subject to conditions addressing air source heat pump noise, parking management, cycle storage enhancement, and a construction plan to minimise disturbance. Members also welcomed the applicant’s commitment to resurface Cyril Road upon completion. Ecologist (including Marine Ecology and Biodiversity): 30.”

“Public Protection (Odour and Noise): Environmental Protection reviewed the submitted noise assessments for the proposed redevelopment of Mountford House Care Home, Truro. The site is within a predominantly residential area with low existing background noise levels.”

Officer report

Who spoke

Two speakers spoke against the application and two spoke in support; the electoral division member also addressed the committee.

What members debated

Members discussed care needs, design, scale, loss of light, parking, jobs, the garden, highways support and whether reducing three rooms would help.

“It was noted that Cornwall was crying out for care home places, and that Corserv had recently closed 2 care homes. There was a need in the Truro area; A Member commented that they did not agree that the proposal represented over-development, and recognised that there were a lot of green areas; It was noted that Truro City Council supported the application, there were no objections from Highways and that there was potential to create 30-35 new jobs; 4.”

“Concern was expressed about putting a large building in a residential area, and it was recognised that there would be some loss of light and that the scale and mass would have an impact.”

Minutes

The vote

Councillor Rowe moved approval, Councillor Tudor seconded it, and the motion passed with eight votes for, two against and one abstention.

“Arising from consideration of the report and debate it was moved by Councillor Rowe, seconded by Councillor Tudor, and on a vote of 8 votes in favour, 2 against and 1 abstention, it was:-”

Minutes

The decision

The committee approved the application subject to appropriate conditions set out in the officer report.

“RESOLVED that Application No. PA24/06436 be approved, subject to appropriate conditions as set out in the report.”

“The reasons given by the Proposer for wishing to approve the application were as set out in the report.”

Minutes