Permission approved for two new care homes

The proposed site for one of the care homes is located between the A358 Furnham Road and Chaffcombe Road

Permission has been given to build two new care homes in Somerset following planning delays.

Somerset Council has approved proposals to build two care homes in Chard.

The developments are for a 66-bed residential facility on the A358 Furnham Road (submitted by LNT Care Developments) and a 70-bed proposal on the A30 East Street (submitted by the Maria Mallaband Care Group).

As a result of the ongoing phosphates crisis, both proposals were significantly delayed - resulting in each developer having to secure additional mitigation.

The new LNT Care site is expected to create 52 full-time jobs

Just days after the East Street proposals were approved, Somerset Council also gave the green light to the Furnham Road plans.

The LNT care home site will offer en-suite wet rooms and will include a café and bar area, dining rooms, lounges, a library, garden room, cinema and hairdressers.

It will be accessed from Furnham Road, just south of the existing junction with Thorndun Park Drive.

This same entrance will also serve as the access road to a planned new development of 295 homes and a new stadium for Chard Town Football Club.

'Much needed care accommodation'

The council’s executive director for climate and place, Micky Green, said the proposal would provide "much needed" care accommodation without "adversely" impacting upon highway safety, biodiversity, visual and residential amenity.

A spokesman for the developer said: “Residents will benefit from a range of facilities that reflect modern day-to-day amenities that provide a choice of entertainment, encourage socialisation and provide good well-being."

Construction of both care homes is expected to begin by the end of the year.