Care home firm wants to build 60-bed facility as part of expansion

PLANS have been lodged for a 60-bed care home in Brechin.

The bid is from Simply and is part of its ambition to become Scotland’s largest care home developer.

The firm’s Angus sights are set on a onetime granary and former builder’s yard on Park Road.

It says the development could bring almost 20 new jobs to the town.

The sloping one-acre site backs on to the Caledonian Railway tourist attraction.

Plans lodged with Angus Council propose a U-shaped building, with access from Park Road.

It would be two storeys to the north, and three storeys to the south to take in the sloping nature of the land.

The proposal includes 27 car parking spaces for staff and visitors.

In its planning submission, Simply states: “The redevelopment of the application site for a care home facility does not, in our opinion, conflict with any elements of the development strategy for Angus insofar as it relates to Brechin.

“In fact, the proposal gains substantial support from the strategy in that it involves the redevelopment of a vacant, underused and derelict brownfield site, which in its present condition detracts significantly from the character and appearance of the area.

“It creates a muchneeded facility in the town and it will create a significant number of job opportunities,” the planning submission states.

Simply says there is an unmet demand for care home bed spaces in Brechin, where the 75-plus age group is forecast to increase 88% by 2037.

The firm adds: “The development of the site will meet some of that demand in a highly sustainable and appropriate location.”

Over the years the land has been suggested various development plans ranging from five to 13 houses.

In July 2009, Angus councillors approved a bid for eight homes there.

The planning permission was renewed at the start of 2016 and remains live.

Glasgow-based Simply’s ambitious growth plans include a target of 1,000 beds across the UK by the end of 2022.

Its Morar Living care home and retirement living division has more than 200 beds across three new homes in Scotland, in Inverness, Musselburgh and Bridge of Weir.

New homes are also under construction in Perth, Stirling and Helensburgh.

Angus development standards committee will consider the Brechin bid in due course.