Recommended approval for Cleobury care home

Planners are being asked approve a scheme for a new care home – on the site that was demolished because it failed to adhere to regulations.

The latest proposal from Cleobury Holdings Ltd is for a 58-bedroom site to the north of Cleobury Mortimer High Street, which includes staff rooms and space for 22 cars.

A previous application for a 75-bedroom home was turned down in October 2023 due to the impact to residential amenity, the lack of open space, and parking concerns.

It came on the back of a 58-bedroom home having to be demolished in 2022 “following findings that the building was not constructed in accordance with the required regulations”.

The latest scheme will be decided by Shropshire Council’s Southern Planning Committee next Tuesday (December 17).

“The previously approved and constructed access and parking court remains in situ, as do the approved boundary fences, but all buildings have been completely demolished and the site cleared,” reads the officer’s report.

“The proposal would provide an attractive, modern building which would offer a suitable layout and standard of accommodation for the benefit of residents and staff. Subject to a condition to secure approval of final material choices,  the proposal will successfully integrate into the local context in design terms.

“The form of the building is almost identical to that which has previously been found to be acceptable by the planning authority.”

Shropshire Council’s highways department has requested a Section 106 contribution for the adminstration of a traffic regulation for parking restrictions at the new entrance and adjoining highway.

However, the scheme does not have the backing of Cleobury Mortimer Town Council or Councillor Gwilym Butler, the ward member for the town. There have also been seven objections from members of the public.

“I’m concerned that the scheme is an overdevelopment of the site and the private amenity space of all neighbouring residential properties will be greatly challenged with the volume of windows directly looking into their properties,” said Cllr Butler.

“I’m also concerned that there is insufficient parking as Cleobury Mortimer has very little public transport. This will result in staff having to park in local
residential streets and car parks already under pressure.”