Decision details

Item 12:  Erection of a 60 bed specialist dementia and nursing residential care home with associated landscaping and car park following demolition of the existing vacant former nursing home building.

Abbeygate, 42 Quarry Road, Winchester

Case number: 18/02385/FUL

The Head of Development Management referred Members to the Update Sheet which set out details of a further letter of objection received due to the size of the structure and its proximity to the junction of Northbrook Avenue and Quarry Road; a revision to Condition 13: Substitute revised Landscape plan (M9335 APL005 rev. D) and site plan (M9335 APL004 rev. D), which showed the temporary storage area for bin collection, and also an additional condition relating to Employment Skills Plan – Full details were set out in the Update Sheet.

During public participation, David Hoggett spoke in objection to the application and Carole Sawyers (Chief Executive of Brendon Care) and James Wallace (Architect) spoke in support and answered Members’ questions thereon.

During public participation, Councillor Murphy spoke on this item as a Ward Member.

In summary, Councillor Murphy stated that:

·         The revised plans had reduced the development’s height; however it was still four stories and would be dominant and close to neighbours.

·         It was contrary to the St Giles Hill Conservation Area guidance and the Neighbourhood Design Statement, which should be respected.

·         The development could be pushed further back into the site and its roof articulated.

·         The provision of solar panels (35 square metres) to the roof area of 900 square metres was relatively small and the development’s level of sustainability to meet Council’s Planning Policy CP11 needed to be clarified.

·         There was inadequate drainage and the development might increase the risk of flooding.

·         There was inadequate capacity for foul sewage and this required improving.

·         The application should be deferred to allow the above points to be dealt with.

At the conclusion of debate, the Committee agreed to grant permission for the reasons and subject to the conditions and informatives set out in the Report and as per the Update sheet, subject to the delegation to the Head of Development Management to issue the decision once the required ecology matters together with any appropriate conditions that may be required.