Pennyfarthing's care home plan for Hurn Way in Christchurch rejected after 200 residents object

PLANS for a 69-bedroom care home in Christchurch have been turned down after the director of adult social care for BCP Council objected to it along with more than 200 residents.

Developer Pennyfarthing, which wants to build a two-storey home on the western site of Hurn Way, had said in its application that it was “anticipated” the over-85s population in the area could increase by 50% by 2030.

But opposing the scheme, BCP Council’s Phil Hornsby said that care homes “should not be seen as the only solution” to providing accommodation for the elderly.

He also pointed out that the government has been “clear” that the focus should be on supporting people so they can remain in their own homes if possible.

Christchurch Town Council had also objected to the proposed scheme due to its “scale, bulk, mass and height, which renders the development inappropriate in design and character”.

Many residents echoed these concerns, arguing this was “over development of the site”, “out of character” with nearby buildings and that it would be a “blight to the peaceful, rural area”.

Plans had included 27 parking spaces, a hair and beauty salon, cinema and coffee shop.

Another opponent was Natural England, which claimed the development, with its proximity to the SSSI at St Catherine’s Hill, would have an “adverse” affect on the area. The Jumpers and St Catherine’s Hill Residents Association agreed.

In a letter of objection, it stated: “We must all be ever vigilant to protect and preserve the area for future generations; allowing this sort of development so close would be a detrimental step.”

Recommending the application be refused, a planning officer said that ONS population statistics “suggest that there is already a third more care homes than the market requires”.

They also said that the current occupancy levels of care homes “suggest that the demand for a further care home is not there”.