81-bedroom care home at 150 Greenleach Lane, Worsley, Manchester

“The application seeks full planning permission for the construction of an 81-bedroom care home (Use Class C2) with associated communal facilities, car parking, access, landscaping and ancillary infrastructure. The care home would provide 24-hour accommodation and care for older people, with the applicant indicating that this could include residential, dementia, respite and convalescence care.”

“The proposed care home would comprise a substantial detached building positioned broadly within the central part of the site, with the principal areas of landscaped amenity space located to the west and south-west. The building would principally comprise two full storeys with additional accommodation provided within the roofspace through the use of dormer windows and gabled elements.”

“The application site comprises approximately 0.61 hectares of land at 150 Greenleach Lane, Worsley, positioned at the junction of Greenleach Lane and Broad Oak Road. The site is located within an established, predominantly residential area, with residential properties adjoining its eastern and southern boundaries, and also on the north side of Broad Oak Road directly facing the site.”

“At the time the application was submitted (October 2025), the site was occupied by the former St Joseph's Convent, a substantial three-storey Victorian building which had previously been occupied by the Franciscan Missionaries of St Joseph, together with a number of later ancillary buildings and garages.”

“PA/2025/1506 During the weekend of 24 th January 2026, a significant fire occurred at St Joseph's Convent, resulting in extensive damage to the main convent building. Following the fire, the applicant submitted a detailed fire damage assessment to the Local Planning Authority (LPA), which was independently reviewed by the Council's Building Control service.”

“Having regard to the evidence submitted and the findings of Council’s Building Control service, the LPA accepted that urgent demolition was necessary on health and safety grounds. The owner was subsequently advised of this position and requested to provide details of the proposed demolition arrangements and to notify neighbouring residents accordingly. The main convent building has subsequently been demolished.”

“The proposal would provide an 81-bedroom purpose-built care home, making efficient use of the former convent site and providing specialist accommodation to meet the needs of older people. The development would also provide employment opportunities and wider social and economic benefits.”

“Overall, the proposal is considered to accord with the development plan when read as a whole. The benefits arising from the provision of specialist care accommodation, efficient use of the site, employment, landscaping and biodiversity enhancements weigh positively in favour of the development. The applicant has also agreed to meet the Council’s requested planning obligations in full, securing appropriate contributions towards open space and public realm.”

“Greater Manchester Ecology Unit (GMEU) (DM) Summary – No objection subject to the attachment of conditions relating to the submission of a Construction Environmental Management Plan, that no removal of or works to any trees, vegetation or buildings shall take place between the main bird breeding season, the statutory Biodiversity Gain Condition be attached and that a Habitat Management and Monitoring Plan (HMMP) be secured through a s.106 agreement.”

“Salford Highways Officer (DM) Summary – No objection subject to the attachment of conditions to secure the submission of a Construction Environmental Management Plan, a revised Travel Plan and the applicant agreeing to upgrade the bus stop along Greenleach Lane through a dedicated pedestrian crossing point and raised platform.”

“RESOLVED: THAT planning permission be granted, subject to (a) the recommended schedule of planning conditions set out in the report, and (b) condition 11 (Landscaping) being amended to expand the provision in relation to the lighting scheme, having regard to GMEU’s comments and the need for this to be ecologically sensitive and to minimise lightspill / glare to neighbouring properties, and that:”

“(ii) The applicant be informed that the Council is minded to grant planning permission, subject to the conditions detailed in the associated decision detail document on completion of such documentation as is required to secure the planning obligations; and…”

“(i) The City Solicitor be authorised to enter into a planning obligation under Section 106 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990, including preparing and executing such other legal documentation as may be necessary in order to secure the planning obligation, to include the following heads of terms:”

“Open Space Contribution – £107,244, ▪ Public Realm Contribution - £61,155, ▪ Monitoring Fee for Planning Obligations, ▪ Habitat Management and Monitoring Plan and associated auditing fee;”