Fears growth of care home will make it ‘institution of yesteryear’

CONCERNS HAVE been raised that increasing the size of a care home for people with mental health problems on outskirts of an East Coast town will make it more like “an institution of yesteryear”.

East Riding Council’s adult services team are among those objecting to plans to build accomodation for another 28 people at the home close to the tiny village of Rolston near Hornsea.

The facility, which looks after people with “severe and enduring mental health needs”, is registered for 70 residents. Its owners have said that the new facility will be a “step down” “for clients who are approaching the stage when they are assessed as no longer requiring full-time residential care, but may lack the skills to manage long-term independent living.” It will also create as many as 26 jobs.

But the council’s adult services department is concerned about the “significant impact on local social care and mental health services of a further increase in out-of-area people.” They also say the design is “very institutional”, and its scale “does not promote ‘ordinary living’.”

People living in Rolston have also complained saying residents and staff now outnumber the village’s inhabitants, and they are having to live with anti-social behaviour, including shouting and swearing in the evenings.

One said increasing the size “would make it appear more like an institution of yesteryear.”

Despite the objections, planning officers at East Riding Council are recommending approval of the plans when they go before the eastern area planning subcommittee today. A report says it is “unfortunate” that residents should be subjected to anti-social behaviour but it is not a “material consideration.”