Care home plan set for approval

6:00pm Monday 24th March 2008

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MELKSHAM Town Council is on collision course with planning officers over a proposal to build a residential care home in a historic part of town.

Town councillors have voiced their concerns over the scheme for an eight-bed home for adults with learning difficulties at Fairlawns, The Spa.

They have objected to the plan because they fear the proposed building is much bigger than any of the other properties in the street.

They also claim the provision of parking spaces will be "wholly inadequate".

Fears have also been voiced by the council's planning policy section regarding the design of the new building.

A spokesman said: "The design policy implications are significant in respect of the proposal site's relation to the adjoining historic buildings in the Spa and in general terms of countryside location.

"The bulk and massing of the proposed building is poor. Unless the design issues can be overcome we should be seeking to refuse this application."

But planning officer Julia Evans, in a report to members of West Wiltshire District Council's planning committee on Thursday night, claims the residential home should be supported.

She says the historic Listed buildings in the Spa are far enough away from the development for it not to have any impact on them.

"The proposed home is not considered to be of such a poor design that it warrants a refusal," she concludes.