Care home design changes at The Laurels, Draycott, Cheddar

What was proposed

The application sought six screened air source heat pumps, brick instead of natural stone on two blocks, and a 75mm height increase.

“Existing access closure (Compliance) 17. Access Construction and Retention (Compliance) 18. Landscape and Ecological Management Plan (Pre-Commencement) 19. External Lighting (Compliance) 20. Habitat Enhancement (Bespoke) 21. Hedgerow removal (Compliance) 22. Supervision of Works - Protected Species (Pre-Commencement) 23. Arboricultural Method Statement and Tree Protection Plan (Pre- commencement) 24.”

“Increase the height of the building by one brick course (75mm). The site 6.1 The site is located on Westfield Lane, on the western edge of the village of Draycott. The site includes a field to the rear of the existing care home. The Mendip Hills National Landscape (formerly known as Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty) is visible to the north of the site. The existing use of the application site is a residential care home.”

Officer report

Planning history

Earlier applications included a refused dwelling, an approved extension, a withdrawn care home proposal and an approved 49-bed care home.

“067402/011: Erection of dwelling in connection with residential home. Refused. 12/09/1989. • 067402/012: Erection of 1 st floor extension to old people’s home. Approved. 30/09/1991. • 2023/0278/FUL: Replacement of existing 21-bed residential care home and adjoining land with a new 57-bed care home together with communal, support and staff spaces and associated works. Withdrawn. 20/06/2023.”

Officer report

Consultation and objections

The parish council objected over noise and height, while residents raised concerns about noise, views, expansion and the busy road.

“Noise Impact Assessment inadequate 2. Height – could lower the floor level by 75mm to address concerns and keep the height the same…”

“Representations from members of the public 12.1 Planning issues raised by members of the public are summarised below. • Noise Impact Assessment inadequate, more detail needed and explanation • Height increased unjustified • A large expansion that will come up to the property & block views • Extra equipment will ruin the peace and quiet. • Close to be used as access, the road is busy…”

Officer report

Who spoke

One objector questioned the noise assessments, cumulative noise, acoustic screening, vibration control and maintenance; the agent explained the sustainability and design choices.

Members’ debate

Members discussed noise monitoring, background levels, vibration, possible testing before occupation, and the existing landscaping and hedgerow conditions.

“Noise Impact: • Members queried whether the noise assessment was conducted on-site or in an office and Officers confirmed that a noise receptor and microphone were set up in the field, monitoring noise over a period of time. Data was then used in a computer model to predict noise levels in specific areas. • When asked about normal background levels the agent confirmed acceptable levels are 31 dB, and all modelling results were below this threshold.”

“Landscape and Hedgerow Matters: • Members asked if hedges would be maintained and not removed. Planning Officers confirmed conditions from the original approval remained in place. • The Planning Officer outlined comprehensive conditions for landscaping, including a hard and soft landscaping condition, a Landscape and ecological management plan and hedgerow removal restrictions (March–August)”

Minutes

The vote

Members approved the proposal with an additional noise-testing condition by 9 votes to 0, with 1 abstention.

“At the conclusion of the debate, Councillor Ros Wyke proposed the application be approved in accordance with the Officer’s recommendation with an additional condition requiring post-installation noise testing prior to occupation, to demonstrate compliance with the approved acoustic assessment. This proposal was seconded by Councillor Tony Robbins.”

“On being put to the vote the proposal to approve was carried with 9 votes in…”

Minutes

The decision

The application was approved subject to the officer’s recommendation and testing before occupation to confirm the heat pumps met predicted noise levels.

“RESOLVED That planning application 2025/0324/VRC be APPROVED in accordance with the Officer’s recommendation subject to an additional condition that prior to occupation, full acoustic testing is carried out to confirm that the noise emissions from the installed air source heat pumps do not exceed the predicted levels set out in the submitted Noise Impact Assessment dated 3rd October 2025.”

Minutes