The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
60-bed care home plans put forward for site in Brechin
Plans have been lodged for a 60-bed care home in Brechin. The planning bid has been launched by Simply as part of its ambition to become Scotland’s largest care home developer.
Its Angus sights are set on a one-time granary and former builder’s yard on Park Road.
The company says the development could bring almost 20 new jobs to the town.
It could also help plug a care gap for an ageing population in which the number of over-75s is set to increase significantly in the next two decades.
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 their planning submission, Simply state: “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.
“Infact, 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 o p p o r t u n i t i e s ,” the planning submission states.”
The applicants say there is an unmet demand for care home bed spaces in Brechin, where the 75-plus age group is forecast to increase by 88% by 2037.
They add: “The development of the site will meet some of that demand in a highly sustainable and appropriate location.”
Over a number of years, the site was the subject of residential development plans ranging from five to 13 houses.
In July 2009, Angus councillors approved a bid for eight homes on the land.
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 construc tion in Pe r t h , Stirling and Helensburgh.
Angus development standards committee will consider the Brechin bid in due course.
It creates a muchneeded facility in the town