Plans for huge care home in Marchwood given go ahead despite concerns

LNT Care Developments has received consent to build a two-storey complex on land next to the Pilgrim Inn at Hythe Road, Marchwood.

The applicant has responded to concerns about the scheme by agreeing to provide an extra five parking spaces.

But the move has failed to satisfy objectors, including a New Forest District Council member.

Plans to build a 66-bed care home at Marchwood have been approved by New Forest District Council (Image: LNT Care Developments)

In a letter to the authority, Cllr Richard Young, who represents Marchwood and Eling, said: "The parking provision still falls well short of council's adopted standards for this type and size of development."

READ MORE: Anger over plan to build 66-bed care home on greenfield site next to Pilgrim Inn

Other objectors include people living at St Contest Way, which borders the northern edge of the site.

David Parker said: "The increased number of parking spaces remains inadequate to fulfil the needs of visitors, staff and other health professionals during peak periods.

"There are not enough on-street spaces to accommodate overspill parking from the proposed care home. This will lead to unsafe and illegal parking during busier times, which will endanger all road users."

The proposed care home will be built between the A326 and Hythe Road, Marchwood (Image: LNT Care Developments)

But the scheme has been approved by the council, subject to the completion of a legal agreement.

A council report said: "The access and local highway network would be able to accommodate the vehicle movements generated by the development.

"The applicant has significant experience in operating care homes and contends that the proposed number of parking spaces is entirely adequate for the needs of the development.

"There are bus stops directly outside the site that would allow for staff to travel by bus.

"The application is also supported by a travel plan setting out measures by which staff and visitors would be encouraged to take advantage of alternatives to single occupancy private car travel."

The proposed care home will be built in a greenfield site next to the Pilgrim Inn at Marchwood (Image: Newsquest.)

Referring to shift changes the report added: "Staff employed in catering, cleaning, medical, laundry, and management roles would not remain on site overnight.

"Furthermore, they would depart throughout the afternoon rather than en masse. As such, it is highly unlikely that overnight staff would arrive to find the car park already full."

The report said the home could see a spike in visitors on public holidays and special occasions such as Mother's Day.

But it claimed that the absence of restrictions relating to visiting times would avoid any "artificial peaks" in demand.

Concerns about the impact of vehicle movements on people living at St Contest Way had been resolved by changes to the home's proposed access.