Planning row over new nursing home extension
A PLANNING committee has given care home bosses more time to resolve a dispute over the impact of an extension.
The owners of Clumber House Nursing Home on Dickens Lane, Poynton, want to build a new wing, creating eight new rooms for residents.
But despite getting the backing of planning officers, the scheme was called-in by ward councillor Jos Saunders.
At a meeting of Cheshire East Council’s northern planning committee, the care home was criticised by councillors for not doing more to mitigate the impact of the two-storey extension on neighbouring homes, particularly Clumber Cottage and Orchard Cottage.
Councillors then deferred the plans so the care home could work with Coun Saunders and residents to agree ‘more robust and appropriate screening’.
In its report to the committee, officers said the eight care places would help to serve the ageing population in the borough and argued a 1.5m tall hedge would prevent ‘significant negative impact’ upon the living conditions of neighbouring properties.
But residents and Poynton Town Council disagreed.
They objected to the scheme on the grounds that the extension was ‘overbearing’ to residential properties causing a loss of light and privacy.
Coun Saunders, who serves on the town and borough councils, spoke against the scheme, standing up in the meeting to illustrate the height of the proposed hedge.
She said: “The extension is 12.1m above the gardens of these homes. I am about 1.5m tall. That is not acceptable.”
Other complaints from Poynton Town Council were that there was already a lack of parking and a threat to protected trees.
Coun Saunders said: “Although the proposal is for eight more rooms, there is no plans for additional parking. It could mean that visitors and staff park on the Dickens Lane, which is a windy road with no parking facilities.”
Claire Coombs, from Clumber House which is owned by United Care Ltd, said there was a pressing need for more accommodation for the elderly and that the design of the scheme complied with the council’s parking standards.
Committee member Coun Nick Mannion urged councillors to defer the scheme.
He said: “It’s disappointing the applicant hasn’t discussed this with residents.
“I suggest they come up with more robust and appropriate screening before coming back to this committee.”