FRESH CONCERNS have been raised over re-submitted plans to build a new care home in Yate. 

Proposals were submitted to South Gloucestershire Council for the construction of a two storey, 64 bed nursing home with parking, landscaping and associated works at Gravel Hill Road, Yate last month. 

A previous application for a two storey 64 bed nursing home at the site had been approved in 2020 but - as not all of the pre-Commencement Conditions were undertaken before October 2023 - its planning permission had expired. 

A planning document on behalf of the applicants in the new application reads: "The scheme will lead to substantive new employment opportunities, both during the construction stage and the future staffing of the care home.

"It will meet a significant local demand for care accommodation

"No environmental harm will arise from this scheme.

"Robust evidence has been submitted to demonstrate a significant need for care accommodation in this locality. 

"In respect of sustainability the scheme is in a sustainable location with regard to its physical proximity to Yate, and accessibility to a wide choice of travel modes.

"Furthermore, the scheme fully embraces the principles of sustainable construction and renewable energy.

"A material benefit will be the provision of a new footway on Gravel Hill Road enabling pedestrians to walk between the site and the North Yate New Neighbourhood to the west of the site. 

"This scheme will create a high quality design that is respectful of its surroundings."

Yate Town Council has however raised some concerns regarding the latest application. 

In a planning document, a town council spokesperson said:  "There is no communal outside space for the residents.

"We also note there is only one communal balcony on each floor which is too small for any resident to enjoy the outside environment or any activities.

"Parking provisions are not adequate for this site.

"The plans do not take into account parking spaces for on-site mini buses for residents or emergency service vehicles.

"Two of the proposed lounges are not lounges as they appear to be a space with tables and chairs in a corridor.

"The end lounge, to the west, will be the only lounge with daylight.

"The other lounge/dining spaces will not have any natural daylight as the plans show they are surrounded by corridors.

"There is also not enough adequate space in the corridors to provide seating areas for the residents.

"The enclosed lounges will also be outside residents’ rooms.

"With the care home encouraging room doors to be kept open, this will result in noise intrusion and a lack of privacy for people who are residing in the rooms looking onto these communal rooms.

"We are also concerned about the lack of privacy, and security, in each room that opens onto a small triangular balcony which is shared with the person next door."

See the plans - tinyurl.com/ms2dtnu7