Care home to replace 'asbestos riddled' building

Exemplar Healthcare has been granted permission to redevelop Wyatt House in Stroud

Plans to demolish an "asbestos riddled" old building and build a new 38-bed care home on its site have been approved despite parking and traffic concerns.

Stroud District Council has granted Exemplar Healthcare permission to redevelop Wyatt House in Mathews Way, Stroud.

Their proposals include the demolition of the former nursing home and building a care facility on its site.

Five people objected to the proposals, with councillor Shyama Ananthan raising concerns of congestion due to 45 car parking spaces required, but only 18 will be provided.

'Significant safety risks'

Speaking at the development management committee meeting on 22 October, Ms Anathan said there are already "severe" parking and traffic issues in Mathews Way and Archway Gardens.

“This proposal raises significant safety risks for pedestrians and cyclists," she said.

“Increased traffic coupled with narrow roads could block access for emergency services."

The care home will be built with buff brick cladding, UPVc windows and aluminium doors

Roisin McFeely, a planning consultant, said residents would not have their own cars due to the type of care home it is, and it would provide more parking spaces for staff and visitors.

“The new building is of a better quality and energy efficient while providing more and accessible parking and a safer environment for residents,” she said.

Councillor David Drew said he was surprised the health and care trust had not been contacted by the development.

He said the reason a community project for the building failed is because the site is riddled with asbestos, adding it would cost "£1m to pull it down".

Councillor Gary Luff said he knew it as a popular cut through for people going to Archway School and asked if anything could be done to protect the children.

Officers said it was not a material planning consideration.

The committee voted to approve the scheme by ten votes in favour with one against.