19-bed care home extension approved as it is revealed area is 500 short

AN extension has been approved at a Derbyshire care home.

The plans, submitted by Milford Care Group to Derbyshire Dales District Council, will see a further 19 bedrooms built at Ashbourne Lodge Care Home. Council planners have approved it using delegated powers.

The care home, rated “outstanding” by the Care Quality

Commission this year, has 20 parking spaces for staff and 31 for visitors. It has a capacity for 54 people and this would increase to 73 with the extension.

Previous extension plans were refused due to the negative impact council officers thought they would have on residents.

Under the now approved plans, a larger conservatory area will also be built overlooking the garden, with an open-plan kitchen and separate dining lounge.

A previous extension has since been converted from a swimming pool to four bedrooms specifically for residents with dementia.

The additional 19 bedrooms, in a two-story extension, will also be aimed at those with dementia.

Council officers say there is a need for 500 care home beds over the next few years and this plan would support that. They said there are currently 401 residential care beds in the Dales and are predicting an increased need of 426 by 2025, falling to 355 by 2035.

One letter of objection was received from a neighbour who felt the development would be intrusive and overlook their garden.

He wrote: “We already have to endure listening to residents screaming and shouting – the nearest bedroom is currently 24 metres away from our property.

“I know this cannot be helped but if the nearest bedrooms are only 10 metres from our property these disturbing noises will be able to be heard inside our house, which is unacceptable.”