'Out of character' care home set for approval

Plans to build a 75-bed care home for dementia patients at the site of a former medical supplies building have been recommended for approval.

Permission is being sought to demolish the former CUI International medical supplies building, known as Caldow House, in Crescent Road, Lutterworth.

The site would be redeveloped to make way for a three-storey care home, with a cafe, cinema, hairdressers, lounges and dining areas also proposed.

But the proposed care home has prompted a number of objections from residents living nearby who have said it is too tall.

The application includes a main entrance to the facility located off a dedicated car parking area providing 30 parking spaces, one ambulance bay, one minibus bay and one delivery bay, as well as cycle parking facilities.

Plans, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service state the care home will extend to three storeys at its highest point.

But residents nearby have raised objections to the proposals, citing the size of the building which they say will dwarf nearby houses with the "excessive size, bulk and height of the building".

In making their recommendation, Harborough District Council officers said on balance the proposal was considered to "represent good design which reflects the context in which it is sited, and, together with soft landscaping will preserve or enhance the street scene".

They added: "Residential amenity impacts are considered acceptable on balance by officers."

The application is due to be discussed by council planners at a meeting on Thursday.

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