Three major developments were
approved by West
Oxfordshire
District Council on Monday.
The council’s Uplands Area planning committee gave the green light to an 80-bed care home at Rockhill Farm on London Road, changes to plans for a new hotel complex at Tracey Farm in Great Tew and the conversion of part of Chipping Norton Baptist Church into flats.
The extra care development at Rockhill Farm will provide a total of 80 flats, likely to be a split of between 32 one-bedroom properties and 48 two-bedroom properties. It will also have 16 residential dwellings and associated landscaping, parking and access onto the site which lies next to the town’s hospital. Town councillors had demanded the design be altered so the front elevation was lowered from three to one storey and more in keeping with surrounding properties. Town Mayor Mike Tysoe said it was ‘nice to hear’ this had been approved although he expressed some concern the town has too much of this kind of housing, especially with forthcoming extra care housing plans at the former Penhurst School site.
The Grade II-listed baptist church – established in 1733 and located on New Street – has been the subject of a planning stalemate in recent years with the church involved in a legal wrangle with a previous developer which gained permission to convert it into four flats but did not undertake any building work. Four flats will be located on the ground floor, in the oldest part of the building, with four duplex flats on the first and second floors in the newer parts of the church. The church space will be fully renovated at the cost of the developer, with its capacity being reduced from the existing 500 to 100. Cllr Tysoe said the plan will help to save a building that is ‘falling to pieces’ but raised concerns about the lack of parking for the flats.
The Great Tew application involves changes to an approved scheme to convert existing farm buildings into a luxury hotel for the Soho House hotel group.
Story: http://www.banburyguardian.co.uk/news/care-home-flats-and-a-hotel-are-on-the-horizon-1-6171535
County Councillor Hilary
Biles writes in a discussion on the forum. Firstly it is not a'care home' that has
been granted permission but Extra Care Housing. This is similar to sheltered
housing but when you are in need of more help you are able to stay in your flat
and the services will come in to you. It is no secret we have an aging
population and there are few Care home and Nursing home places. We need this in
Chipping Norton just as we need homes for our younger people. This development
has been in the strategy for many years and I for one am pleased it now can
move forward giving many elderley residents of Chipping Norton the opportunity
to stay in the town they have lived in and supported for many years.
From NHS Website: Extra care
Extra care housing is sometimes
referred to as very sheltered housing or housing with care. It is social or
private housing that has been modified to suit people with long-term conditions
or disabilities that make living in their own home difficult, but who don't
want to move into a residential care home.
Extra care housing includes
converted properties and purpose-built accommodation such as retirement
villages, apartments and bungalows. They can be large-scale villages with up to
300 properties. Some of these developments are for sale, others to rent, and
some are a mixture of both through shared ownership schemes. Extra care housing
can be run by housing associations and charities, local authorities or private
sector providers.
Most residents are older
people, but this type of housing is becoming popular with people with
disabilities regardless of their age. It is usually seen as a long-term
housing solution, but certain developments offer rehabilitation and
intermediate care options for residents, and some specialise in care for people
with dementia.
What are the benefits of extra
care housing?
Extra care housing gives people
the opportunity to live independently in a home of their own, but with other
services on hand if they need them. These extra facilities vary depending on
the site, but can include:
24-hour access to emergency support
an on-site care team
rehabilitation services
day centre activities
a restaurant or some kind of meal provision
laundry
fitness facilities and classes
a base for healthcare workers
Some have mini-buses for residents and provide cleaning and maintenance
for the property and grounds. These additional services will be charged for.
Extra care housing residents still have access to means-tested local authority
services.
Ed: I'm sure my maths
are up to speed, it says 80 bed care home (whatever it is?) yet 32 one
bed and 48 two bed comes to my reckoning 128? plus 16 residential dwellings
adding say another 32 puts the figure nearer 160. So while it is not a care
home for the elderly it does say Extra care housing for people with long term conditions, what conditions? I cannot see Chippy or this area raising enough of its own
'needy', I do hope Chippy doesn't become a dumping ground for other areas undesirables, what will it be called? Cotshill Hospital?