Separate application for a new care home

ALONGSIDE a planning application for the St James’ Hospital site, an additional application could be submitted for a residential care home, potentially by the end of this month.

The front of the hospital could see a care home built by Leeds-based LNT Developments, which is preparing a planning application to Portsmouth City Council.

This care home would be at the front of the site, separate to the actual hospital complex.

It is hoped that 66 beds could be provided in a brand new building, subject to planning permission.

A spokeswoman for the developers said: ‘The 66-bed care home will provide residential and dementia care for those aged over 65 years.

‘The home will be a strong community facility, integrating with the nearby local facilities of shops, churches and schools.

‘It will provide outstanding accommodation with fully en-suite bedrooms, spacious communal areas, and state-ofthe-art amenities including a cinema, library, garden room and tea shop, all surrounded by beautifully landscaped gardens.’

LNT Developments says it hopes to submit a formal planning application either at the end of this month or the start of July.

St James’ Hospital itself was previously a mental health facility managed by the NHS, which during the marketing of the property mentioned that Forest Lodge could also be used as a care home.

Leader of Portsmouth City Council, Cllr Gerald Vernon-Jackson, hopes that some form of care service will remain on the hospital site.

The city council had submitted an application to buy St James’ Hospital, but this was unsuccessful.

He said: ‘I think the NHS has made a mistake by selling off St James’ Hospital, due to the current state of health services in the city.

‘The services are simply not good enough – in fact, they are significantly worse than what is needed here in Portsmouth.

‘I would have preferred it if the council had been able to purchase the site.’