PLANS to demolish part of a Romsey dementia nursing home and create additional bedrooms have been objected to by town councillors.

Durban House, in Woodley Lane, has a planning application to demolish the Mountbatten Wing and create a new extension, comprising of 22 new bedrooms.

Romsey Town Council's planning committee agreed to submit an objection to Test Valley Borough Council, on the grounds that it was an overdevelopment of the site and would impact neighbours.

Cllr Janet Burnage said: “There's over 10 letters of objection, residents have contacted me about it. I think it's a complete overdevelopment of the site. There's concerns over traffic, the county council highways department have also objected. Yes, we need nursing homes, but it's a huge nursing home in its own right anyway. In Woodley Lane, it would ruin that that space and it has upset the neighbours already.

READ MORE: Plan submitted for renovation of Romsey care home Durban House

Cllr Sally Lamb said: “I agree with Janet, the applicant has not engaged with Hampshire County Council at all and has not provided a transport statement. I have great sympathy for all the neighbours around it. Even though there is a net gain of 10 beds, unfortunately we all know dementia patients are difficult.”

Hampshire County Council's highways department said in their objection: “For this development, the Highway Authority would expect the applicant to have submitted a full Transport Statement that details existing and proposing traffic generation via appropriate survey or interrogation of the TRICS database along with an assessment of additional trip from staff and visitors along with an appropriate assessment of the proposed site layout in order to demonstrate the acceptability of the proposal in highways terms.

“Given that this has not be submitted, the Highway Authority raises a significant standing objection to the proposal based upon lack of adequate assessment.”

Cllr Burnage said: “One of the residents who has objected has she she can hear the residents shouting 'help me, help me', which is a bit concerning.”

Committee chair, Cllr John Parker said: “I suggest that we object on the grounds that the overall size and height of the proposal would impact on the amenity of the neighbours. We note there is a risk of inadequate parking, so we back up the highway authority's request for a transport statement.”

Director of developers The Genesis Design Studio, Phillip Blencowe said: “We understand that there are objections to the planning application and local residents have concerns that will be considered by Test Valley Borough Council in determining the application. The applicant is sensitive to these worries and that is why they have undertaken to consult with TVBC via their pre-application advice service during 2021, prior to submission of the full planning application. The proposals now submitted reflect advice given during this process and will give a much needed improvement of facilities for dementia care at Durban House to replace those that are unsuitable.”

For more information on the proposals, search 22/00625/FULLS on TVBC's planning portal.

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