PLANS for a new dementia care home in Burntwood have been given the green light.
It is the third time the proposals for the former Bridge Cross Garage plot had come forward to Lichfield District Council.
The facility will feature 72 rooms and a community space.
Councillors had refused the application in May due to increased pressures on the primary care network and the design failing to respect the character and appearance of the surrounding area.
Samantha Crawley, CEO of Bracebridge Care Group, told councillors:
“We also know that people living with dementia cohorted with people at approximately the same stages of their dementia do much better in their wellbeing.
“Older people who live alongside people living with dementia can often feel uncomfortable, displaced and anxious. This often resulting in less than favourable interactions such as dismissive, often angry exchanges with the people living with dementia.
“Our design helps reduce this stress and that means that people’s health remaining for longer.
“I can talk about how well we’ve run care homes and why you should have this home in your area, but I think they key aspect of this home being put in your community comes in it’s ability to deliver high sought-after dementia nursing care and support needed by the Integrated Care Board.
“The market positioning statement is clear – dementia care is required particularly in this area.”
Hairdressing and cinema facilities will also be housed at the care home.
It is proposed that 22 car parking spaces will be provided at the rear of the site, with two being accessible and one reserved for an ambulance and delivery vans.
However, not all councillors at Lichfield District Council were pleased with the new plans.
Cllr Di Evans, Labour representative for Boney Hay and Central, told fellow planning committee members that she still had issues with the plans, calling the proposed building overbearing, imposing and detrimental to the streetscene.
“It won’t surprise anybody to know that I’m still really concerned about this application.
“I’m fully aware that dementia care homes are going to be the thing of the future, but not in this area.
“It is contrary to the Neighbourhood Plan and the Local Plan. Many, many hours and an awful lot of money have been put into this and I am going to be repetitious from what I’ve said before – councillors and residents have put time into producing the plan and it now appears it counts for nothing.”
However, Cllr Derick Cross, independent member for Alrewas and Fradley, said:
“I find it a big improvement to the original application – it’s quite a nice looking building.
“I think it will be an improvement for the area. It would also encourage other developments to come and improve that area which would be a big benefit for Burntwood.”
Did the councillors ask Samantha Crawley (CEO of Bracebridge Care Group) what the likely costs would be for those receiving care at this Burntwood care home? My understanding is that similar establishments charge £2000 to £2500 a week, have built in fee increases and extra charges for any other provisions.
Just who does the council think will benifit in the Burntwood area?
When family assets fall below £23000 the council will have to pay the shortfall. We are told local councils are already struggling with finance.
Supporting these BUSINESSES might seem a humanitarian thing to do, but it is not cost effective and well beyond the affordability of most of the families in Burntwood and beyond. Hence the ‘residents’ will probably be from none local people.
As usual Councillor Evans talks sense on behalf of the local community and Derek Cross has neither connection nor care for the needs of the town or the ambitions for a Town Centre outlined in the Neighbourhood Plan
When someones assets fall below £23,250 they are entitled to help from Staffordshire County Council but their highest payment for someone needing nursing care for dementia is currently £776 a week.
This is some neogiation but unless other relatives can come up with the difference between what a Nursing or Care Home charges (I do noit know what the charges will be in this case) and what the County Council are willing to pay it is very likely that the resident will have to move to another home.
These are not planning isues – but it is the reality of the cost of care.
This is a terrible decision which goes against everything promised in the Neighbourhood Plan for investment in retail and leisure facilities and the creation of a proper town centre. Councillor Evans was the only one standing up for these promises. This is yet another example of the District Council being completely out of touch with Burntwood. The building of another care home will not encourage further investment in Sankey’s Corner to benefit ALL residents. The only people who will truly benefit will be the care home group, no doubt making huge profits.
Oh ! Come on, when is reality going to take over from rhetoric about this site ? It’s been derelict for at least 15 years, so whatever other use is preferred by local politicos, it would have happened by now if it had been viable. Idealism about a Burntwood Town Centre is a figment of imagination. The location is surrounded by 4 “town centres”, 2 of which are dying on their feet and major repurposing is the only prospect for their future viability, leaving Cannock and Lichfield to serve the broader retail needs of this wide catchment area, so “Burntwood Town Centre” is never likely to emerge from the bell tolling on the retrenchment of bricks and mortar retail. Re-imagine the Neighbourhood Plan/LocalPlan that chimes with a viable reality for this neighbourhood focal point.