Planning permission for major work on a Romsey care home has been submitted to Test Valley Borough Council.

The work on Durban House Nursing Home will be to demolish the 'Mountbatten Wing' at the front and 35 Woodley Lane. Also to construct an extension accommodating 22 new nursing care bedrooms and associated facilities.

It has been submitted by Mr C Saunders, with neighbourhood consultation ending on April 1. No objections have so far been submitted.

The plan will also be reviewed by Romsey Town Council's planning committee at its next meeting on March 31.

The care home, on Woodley Lane, currently has 38 bedrooms over two floors. The plan aims to increase this to 48.

On the planning statement, it said: “The extension would accommodate 22 bedrooms, which allowing for bedrooms lost from the Mountbatten Wing and other internal alterations, would give a net increase of 10 bedrooms from 38 to 48 bedrooms.

“The existing Mountbatten Wing is not fit for purpose in a modern nursing home. These design proposals seek to replace this accommodation with purpose built facilities as well as provide 10 additional rooms. The design has been developed around features on the site and the amenity of neighbouring properties.

READ MORE: Extension plan objected by Romsey Town Council due to height

“The proposals would also provide a well-needed facelift to the frontage of the nursing home and we feel they would successfully integrate into the street scene.”

Currently, the Romsey care home provides a range of services for residents such as nursing care, respite care, care for older people and dementia care.

Richard Adams, CEO of Sears Healthcare, said on the company website: “We want to look after the residents that come and join us here, and we want to look after the relatives that join us here. The way we ask the homes to run and the way we run the business is focused around the needs of the residents and how we’re best able to meet their care.”

Hampshire Chronicle: The current Mounbatten Wing, photo: Test Valley Borough Council

Cllr Nick Adams-King said: “As our local population ages we undoubtedly need more provision for older people. Additional housing for older people also counts toward our local housing targets. The challenge though is ensuring that local services, particularly health, keep up with the demand additional accommodation of this type can bring. I hope, as the planning process progresses that this is taken into account and along with the home’s location on the outskirts of town.”

Comments can be submitted by neighbours by searching for 22/00625/FULLS on Test Valley Borough Council's planning website.

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