A PLANNING application for a 70 bed care home in Chard could be submitted by the end of the month.
Nexus Planning and Frontier Estates (a care home developer), have sent a leaflet to neighbours in East Street to inform them of the potential planning application.
The care home is set to be operated by the Maria Mallaband Care Group, which operates more than 80 care homes across the country.
The site already has planning permission, granted in 2018, for 78 apartments - a mixture of one and two beds.
The leaflet states: "The site already has planning permission for residential apartments, which secured vehicular access from East Street.
"This same access point will be applied for again, and it is expected the care home will generate fewer journeys than the apartment scheme.
"The key principles established by this earlier approval, including the demolition of the vacant warehouse, will be carried forward into this scheme.
"No habitable rooms are proposed to face onto existing properties. The site is close to the Chard Town Centre Conservation Area and No. 12 East Street, a listed building.
"As such, the scheme will be of a contemporary high quality design, consideration will be given to the use of materials and architectural detailing to ensure it will add to the local character.
"The site has been identified in the local plan for regeneration. It is in an accessible location and close to the services and facilities in the town centre.
"The proposals will help deliver the long-term growth and regeneration of Chard in line with the Council’s ‘Chard Strategic Growth Area’.
"Frontier consider this to be an appropriate and positive use of the site. The key principles established by this earlier approval, including the creation of an access from East Street, will be carried forward into this scheme."
The site is 0.76 hectares of vacant land.
At the moment, there is a vacant warehouse building known as the old Wool Store and land to that was used as a plant market/garden. There are also some single storey garages and workshops on the northern area of the site.
Once the planning application is submitted, SSDC will then undertake another consultation.
For further information contact Nexus Planning by emailing info@nexusplanning.co.uk
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