Dementia bed plans get green light in the greenbelt

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TWO PLANNING applications aimed at providing almost 70 more dementia beds for Bromsgrove district were given the go ahead at the planning committee meeting on Monday (February 6).

And on both proposals, at The Uplands in Burcot and the Lawns in Alvechurch, members overturned officers' initial recommendations which were to refuse both applications.

The first, on the site of the former Uplands Children's Home, was outline permission for 58 dementia care beds.

It will see the demolition of extensions to The Uplands and out buildings of the former residential institution. There will also be changes made to the existing access of Burcot Grange and The Uplands so the new accommodation can be accessed and extra car parking provided.

The officers had recommended refusal for the plans, which they stated would cause significant harm to the openness and 'visual amenities' of the greenbelt.

But members, who unanimously gave the proposal the green light, said they agreed with the applicant that the need for the specialist housing out-weighed the greenbelt issues.

Because the officers' recommendation has been overturned, the proposals will now have to go before the Secretary of State who could call it in. It will also be subjected to a Section 106 agreement which will see the developer provide cash for community facilities.

An additional condition was added for a 'construction management plan' to determine specific times when vehicles could access the site.

At The Lawns in Alvechurch, permission was granted for a new dementia care extension providing ten beds.

Members overturned officers' initial recommendation to refuse the application relating to the Grade II listed building which was built between 1855 to 1856.

Officers said, in their opinion, 'its design, scale and positioning would have a detrimental impact on the setting of the listed building and on the character of the adjoining conservation area'.

Permission was narrowly granted, with six votes in favour and five against and Listed Building Consent, also needed for the development, was granted as well.

Members said they deemed the need for dementia beds to be greater than the impact the development would have on the area.

Conditions placed on the application included one to use trees to screen the development and another relating to the approach road to St Laurence Church. That was damaged the last time building work was undertaken at The Lawns, landing the Parochial Church with a substantial bill for damages and members wanted to ensure the same thing would not happen this time around.

The plans will now have to go before English Heritage for approval and, because the officers' recommendation has been overturned, the Secretary of State could also call it in.