74-bed care home at The Meadows, Bagshot Road, Woking

What was proposed

The application proposed demolishing the existing building and erecting a three-to-four-storey 74-bed care home with gardens, parking, access and landscaping.

“The proposed development comprises the demolition of the existing building and erection of a 74x bed care home (Use Class C2) in a three to four storey building. The care home would comprise 74x en-suite rooms comprising residential and residential dementia care for people aged 65 and over. The building also includes ancillary communal facilities and amenities including day rooms, cinema, hairdressers and bistro.”

Officer report

The site and its setting

The vacant former care home stood on Green Belt land beside open grassland, with mature boundary trees, a public house and nearby homes.

“The proposal site is characterised by a large detached purpose-built 24x bed Care Home dating from the 1990s. The Care Home is understood to have closed in 2013 and has been vacant since; parts of the building have become derelict and parts have been damaged by fire. The building is two storeys with accommodation in the roof space facilitated by dormer windows. The building is brick-built in a simple, traditional style.”

“The proposal site is in designated Green Belt and is bordered to the south and west by open grassland. To the north of the site is The Nags Head Public House. Further to the north are two storey detached dwellings which form part of the Urban Area.”

Officer report

Earlier applications

A larger extra-care scheme was refused and dismissed on appeal, while a smaller 34-unit scheme was permitted and remained extant.

“PLAN/2022/0419 - Erection of a three to four storey building comprising 34x extra care apartments (Use Class C2) with ancillary and communal facilities and provision of landscaping, bin and cycle storage, parking, highway works, access and associated works following demolition of existing buildings – Permitted 01.09.2023”

“PLAN/2020/0492 - Erection of a building of up to five storeys comprising 54x one and two bedroom extra care apartments (Use Class C2) with ancillary and communal facilities and provision of landscaping, bin and cycle storage, parking, highway works, access and associated works following demolition of existing buildings – REFUSED 08.04.2021 for the following reasons and dismissed at appeal on 06.07.2023 (APP/A3655/W/21/3284110):”

Officer report

Consultation and objections

Highways, trees, flooding, ecology, environmental health, archaeology, wildlife and water consultees raised no objection subject to conditions, while one objection raised drainage and design concerns.

“Surrey Wildlife Trust: No objection subject to conditions.”

“Environmental Health: No objection subject to conditions.”

Officer report

What members discussed

Members questioned the building’s scale, design, surroundings, parking and access, and supported replacing the rundown building with high-quality care accommodation.

“During the discussion, Members raised questions about the scale and design of the new building, its impact on the surrounding area, and the adequacy of parking and access arrangements. Planning Officers confirmed that the proposed development had been carefully assessed and was considered acceptable in terms of layout, massing, and landscaping.”

“Members expressed support for the proposal, noting the importance of providing high-quality care accommodation and the benefits of replacing this rundown dilapidated building with a modern, purpose-built home.”

Minutes

Who spoke

The agent spoke in support of the application, and no registered objector attended.

The committee’s decision

The committee granted planning permission subject to a legal agreement and conditions, delegating authority to finalise their wording.

“That Planning Permission be GRANTED subject to Legal Agreement and conditions.”

Minutes