Care unit plan gets go-ahead
FEARS EXPRESSED OVER LACK OF SPACE
Plans to convert a home into a care unit for vulnerable people have been given the go-ahead, despite concerns over lack of space for residents.
This week, Sunderland City Council’s (SCC) area development control subcommittee met to discuss the future of the property, 34 Thornhill Gardens.
The plans, by Falcon Housing Association, aim to convert the Sunderland home into a residential care unit with three flats, two apartments and a new staircase and entrance to the basement.
The aim is to provide accomodation for “assisted independent living” for five adults moving on from a communal and institutional living environment, a council report states.
During consultation, concerns were raised about the lack of outdoor space for the unit, lack of background on residents staying there, disruptive construction work and building alterations.
Concerns about the size of the building were echoed at Sunderland Civic Centre, with Coun Patricia Smith stating the property “isn’t big enough for its intended use”.
Leader of SCC’s Liberal Democrats group, Coun Niall Hodson, added assisted living units were a “worthy cause” but noted the rising number of such facilities in the city.
Further objections came from Thornholme Residents’ Association and Coun Michael Dixon, who noted a similar application in the area which was rejected by SCC and upheld by a planning inspector at appeal.
Adele Graham-King, speakingonbehalfofThornhill Gardens residents, added: “It doesn’t provide that care or quality of accomodation with very limited internal amenity and these people deserve more,” she said.
A planning officer confirmed SCC has not adopted the living space recommendations but would consider them in the council’s local plan to 2033, which is currently in consultation.
Deputy leader of SCC, Coun Michael Mordey, added that if the rejected application was overturned by a developer’s appeal, it would cost SCC “tens of thousands of pounds”.
The plans were approved, with nine councillors voting in favour and three against.