Care home extension at Thalassa Nursing Home, Gosport

What was proposed

A two-storey rear extension would add eight bedrooms, a communal day space and landscaping enhancements to the nursing home.

“ERECTION OF TWO-STOREY EXTENSION TO THE NORTH ELEVATION TO PROVIDE 8NO. ADDITIONAL BEDROOMS AND A NEW COMMUNAL DAY SPACE, AND LANDSCAPING ENHANCEMENTS Thalassa Nursing Home 79 Western Way Gosport Hampshire PO12 2NF”

“The extension would be sited approximately 3.4m from the eastern boundary and approximately 7.2m from the western boundary, and be 6m deep. The extension would be is designed in a similar manner to the existing rear section of the building with a cat-slide roof to the eastern boundary and a ridge height of 6.7m.”

Officer report

The site and surroundings

The established nursing home has 48 bedrooms, parking for 20 cars and residential properties around its boundaries.

“The application site is located on the north side of Western Way in an established residential area. It is understood that these premises have been in use as a nursing home in excess of 70 years. There have been a number of extensions and alterations to the property, the most recent extension in around 2006. The original building facing Western Way with its pebbledash finish and clay plain tiled roof is included on the Gosport List of buildings of Local Interest.”

“The area surrounding the site is residential and comprises a variety of property types and styles. The majority of the boundary to the west comprises fencing and a dense screen of trees and other planting. A number of the trees are covered by a Tree Preservation Order lining the driveway serving a number of dwellings. Number 77 is a detached house situated to the west, set back a significant distance from Western Way.”

Officer report

What officers recommended

Officers considered the design, heritage, neighbours, parking, highways and biodiversity acceptable, with care accommodation needs weighing in favour.

“Matters relating to restrictions under title deeds are a private legal matter, which cannot be considered as part of the determination of this planning application. Therefore, the main issues in this case are the acceptability of the design of the extension, any impacts on the Locally Listed building, the visual amenities and character and appearance of the area, the amenities of adjoining and prospective residents, whether an acceptable level of parking is provided, or…”

“The proposed extension is considered to be of an appropriate design and sympathetic to the modern additions already undertaken to the home, reflecting key design features of this northernmost part of the care facility, including its cat slide roof and overall scale. The site would be excavated to accommodate the extensions with the same floor level as existing which would mean that it would be viewed as a lower structure than neighbouring development.”

Officer report

What residents said

Six objections raised concerns about privacy, scale, light, outlook, traffic, noise, construction, parking, drainage, trees and overdevelopment.

“- increased traffic movements, emergency services, staff activity, and service deliveries associated will likely result in additional noise and disturbance - poor access during construction and a construction management plan should be provided - the applicant should be required to submit a Construction and Access Management Plan, Visual Impact and Overshadowing Study, Drainage and Structural Stability Report, and…”

Officer report

Who spoke

A speaker welcomed the officer assessment and supported additional beds at the established care home.

What members discussed

Members discussed construction hours, the eight-month works period, overlooking, access, neighbour communication and whether a site visit was needed.

“In answer to a Member’s question the Board was advised that standard construction working hours tended to be within a 7-7.30 am start and a 4-4.30pm finish, with work permitted on Saturday mornings. It was also advised that the work would take approximately 8 months. It was reiterated that the proposal would not overlook neighbouring gardens as it was sunken and there would be an internal courtyard to the proposal.”

“The Planning Officer advised that it would be acceptable and usual for any condition on construction hours to be 8am to 6pm Monday to Friday and 8am to 1.30pm on a Saturday and Members welcomed these restriction. A Member advised that they felt a site visit was beneficial but other Members felt that the proposal was acceptable, and that the design would lead to minimal impact on neighbours.”

Minutes