Plans by LNT Care Developments Ltd to build new 66-bed care home in Marchwood

PLANS for a new 66-bedroom care home on agricultural land in Marchwood look set to be approved by New Forest District Council.

LNT Care Developments Ltd is seeking permission to build the facility on land south of Hythe Road and east of St Contest Way, near to The Pilgrim Inn.

The application, which is set to be discussed by the planning committee tomorrow (Wednesday), includes 66 single bedrooms, each with en suite facilities and 25 parking spaces.

Communal areas would include a cafe, dining room, lounges, a library, garden room, cinema and hairdressing facility.

The care home would be staffed by 42 full-time and 20 part-time employees. A new access from St Contest Way would be created.

It is being recommended for approval by a district council case officer, who said the provision of 66 rooms would make a “significant contribution” towards the expected need of future care home spaces.

It has been objected to by Marchwood Parish Council, which said it did not have enough parking on-site and the area was already “negatively impacted” by on-street parking during busy periods.

“The area was congested and dangerous to existing road users”, it added, and there is a lack of public transport in the area.

The council received 19 letters of objection from members of the public, who raised concerns over poor design, increased traffic movements, noise and disturbance and increased pressure on local GP surgeries.

However, the district council’s report adds: “Whilst comments received from local residents object to the need for a care home locally, based on the evidence supporting the Local Plan there is clear need for the form of specialist residential care accommodation being provided for by the application.

“Not only would the scheme make a significant contribution to the supply of specialist housing for the elderly, it would also result in the release of predominantly under occupied housing locally.

“It is common place that residents moving in to care do so from a family home they have occupied for many years, potentially as single occupants of larger family homes, thereby releasing those homes to the open market.”

The report added the scheme would deliver economic benefits during construction, but also provide employment in a range of roles supporting the operation of a care home.