Wakefield flats plan approved despite brain injury centre's fears

Plans include building flats on the first and second floors above empty units in Wakefield city centre

Plans to build a block of flats next to a brain injury unit have been approved despite fears it will cause disruption to patients receiving treatment.

The Second Chance Headway Centre objected to flats being built next to its city centre base in Wakefield.

The centre is the main therapy and rehabilitation facility in the district for adults with brain injuries.

A council report said it did not consider flats in the city centre would conflict in terms of noise.

However, the centre's business manager said the new properties would overlook its quiet room which would disturb patients.

Pete Taylor said: "Our nurses need this noise and light-controlled space to be quiet when dealing with seizures and the other physical issues of brain injuries."

Patients are referred to the centre by social services, hospitals, GPs and other health organisations across the Wakefield district.

Nurses, occupational therapists and social workers provide therapy, rehabilitation and support for clients, their families and carers.

The plans submitted to Wakefield Council include building flats on the first and second floors above empty units on Kirkgate, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said.

'Very vulnerable people'

Mr Taylor said building work would also disturb patients and that a proposed bin store for the new properties would lead to a loss of disabled parking places.

"The increase in activity during the build and subsequent public access to the rear of our building would be very difficult for our clients.

"It would be busy and make it more difficult to manage security and safety for very vulnerable people."

The council report said: "Whilst the operational needs of the neighbouring rehabilitation centre are noted, it is not considered that a residential use within the city centre would conflict in terms of noise.

"The current space on the first floor could be used for offices or a gym which would bring greater levels of noise.

"Therefore it is not considered the residential use is inappropriate."

Councillors had initially objected to the plans when they included building flats on the ground floor but it was later amended to only include properties on the first and second floors.