Town says care home would be best option

From the archive, first published Thursday 8th Sep 2005.

GAZETTE & HERALD: TOWN councillors have approved plans for a giant care village at HMS Royal Arthur, saying it would be the lesser of a number of evils on the site.

At a meeting last Wednesday, the council recommended approval for the multi-million pound development. The final decision will be taken by North Wiltshire District Council.

Homeowner Charles Fuller, who lives next door to the proposed site, at Westwells, Neston said he welcomed the idea, but was concerned about the inevitable increase in traffic over Potley Bridge.

"I'm all for it because what is the alternative? An open prison or another industrial estate?

"It was pleasing to know that the dwellings are going to be kept on one and two storeys," he told the meeting.

"And they're putting in trees and ponds so it's going to be a pleasant place to live."

Mr Fuller said there could be up to 300 extra car journeys a day from the new village through Westwells and over Potley Bridge and suggested an alternative access on to Hawthorn Hill.

The application, submitted by Royal Arthur Park Ltd is for a 72-bed care home, 80 extra care apartments, 129 supported living units and 95 parking spaces.

The 30-acre derelict site will also include health, leisure and recreational facilities.

The luxurious care facility for the over 55s will be established as one of the UK's first purpose-built extra care retirement villages and will create 108 jobs for the area.

Neston ward councillor Jeanne Doohan was convinced a large housing estate would eventually be mooted for the site if the care village was turned down.

"I would like to see it put back to agricultural use but I know this isn't a realistic option," she said.

"What's the alternative? But I would like to see a smaller complex than the one on these plans."

Corsham councillor John Bright said: "All we've got is dereliction. It won't get any better and it won't go away. I'm not entirely happy about the numbers, but this could be the lesser of a whole range of evils."

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