66-bed care home at Land North East Of High Street, Deanshanger

The site and surroundings

The nearly one-hectare unused site lies north of High Street, beside homes, footpaths and Hayes Road, with access within the conservation area.

“The application site is located within the south of the village of Deanshanger, to the north of High Street. The site is bordered to the north by the wider piece of land which the site is a part of, beyond which is a public footpath. The site is bordered to the west by a public footpath, beyond which are residential dwellings of a variety of designs and some of which front the public footpath.”

“The site itself today consists of just under 1ha of unused land. The site features vegetation throughout, the most significant of which is located along the site boundaries. An abandoned building is also present in the south of the site, close to the access. There is a tree protection order in place in relation to two large conifers in the south-west of the site, to the rear of 73 High Street. Access to the site is taken off Hayes Road, which intersects with High Street.”

Officer report

Earlier site history

The site formed part of the former Elementis works, alongside earlier approvals and an appeal dismissal concerning redevelopment of the wider land.

“S/2013/0356/MAO • Description: Outline planning application for the redevelopment of the former Elementis site. 15 no. detached dwellings, 3 no. work/live units, 8 no. self contained employment units (Class-Use B1). Restoration of former chapel/school house, parking, landscaping & ancillary works. • Location: Hayes Road Deanshanger • Decision: Appeal Dismissed (Against Refusal)”

“S/2018/2117/RES • Description: Approval of reserved matters pursuant to outline planning permission S/2014/1941/MAO (Redevelopment of the former Elementis Works site (Site 1) for 15 custom-built detached dwellings, 3 live/work units, 7 self- contained employment units (approximately 842sq.m, use-class B1), construction of parking spaces, areas of structured landscaping and all ancillary works, and improvements to the redundant section of Hayes Road (Outline planning…”

Officer report

Local concerns and support

Supporters cited village growth, housing need, ageing residents, employment and sustainability; objections concerned construction, traffic, noise, health and neighbouring light.

“There have been 3 letters of support raising the following matters: • Growth of the village • The current state of the site • Lack of development on the site for too long • Contribution towards housing supply • Ageing population of the village • Employment opportunities…”

“There have been 1 letter of objection raising the following matters: • Impacts of the construction • Health impacts • Natural light impacts on surrounding residential properties • Infrastructure required • Traffic • Noise pollution…”

Officer report

Who spoke

A parish council representative supported the application while seeking local biodiversity delivery, transport funding and monitoring; the agent addressed need, design and parking.

Committee discussion and vote

Members considered the officer recommendation, speakers and updates before voting unanimously for approval with a request about local biodiversity benefits.

“In reaching its decision, the Committee considered the Case Officer’s report and presentation, the addresses of the public speakers, and the Committee Updates.”

Minutes

The committee’s decision

Authority was delegated to grant permission subject to the healthcare and biodiversity monitoring obligations, the report’s conditions and informatives.

“(1) That authority be delegated to the Assistant Director – Planning and Development to grant permission to application 2025/2472/FULL subject to:”

“A contribution towards the Council’s cost of monitoring the implementation and ongoing compliance of the Habitat Management and Monitoring Plan in relation to the on-site Biodiversity Net Gain required pursuant to the Planning Permission.”

Minutes