McGoff subsidiary tries again with reworked Wilmslow care home

New Care, the care home arm of McGoff Group, is to submit a fresh planning application for a 69-bedroom home off Handforth Road, Wilmslow.

The developer and operator of care facilities, which is advised by Street Design Partnership, said that it has identified a dearth of quality care beds to service elderly residents in the borough and intends to create a “new generation” facility at the 1.1-acre site.

New Care has already submitted an application for an 83-bedroom facility – and demolition of the site’s two existing detached houses – earlier this year, but has grown frustrated at the lack of a determination. It said that “extensive pre-application discussions with Cheshire East’s senior planning team” had established the principle of development, but with localised objection, a decision has not been forthcoming.

Wilmslow Town Council objected to the first proposal, recommending refusal for a development it described as “over-bearing and out of character with the area”. The town council also described the suggested parking provision as inadequate.

New Care has now submitted an appeal to the Planning Inspectorate for non-determination, adding that it is continuing to work with Cheshire East’s planning and highway team to arrive at acceptable scheme for the address, 51-53 Handforth Road.

The new proposals are for 69 beds, a 17% reduction in bed provision from the original application that will allow for a reduction in the building’s footprint. Following advice from planners, the exteriors will be redesigned. New Care said that in architectural terms, the building will reference the 1930s buildings in the area.

The revised scheme also proposes a revised site entrance position as well as 26 car parking spaces, including six accessible spaces, all screened from the road by tree retention and an instant mature planting scheme.

Chris McGoff, chief executive at New Care, said: “It is disappointing that our proposals for a ‘new generation’ care facility located in the heart of the community, which is where we believe they should be positioned, has received local objection.

“Cheshire East has a known and well reported shortage of quality beds. Our elderly demand to be housed in fit for purpose accommodation that offers basic en suite facilities, promoting dignity, independence, wellbeing and person-centred care. This is exactly what our proposed Handforth Road development seeks to achieve.”

“With a clear demonstratable housing need for more high quality care beds in Wilmslow, we are committed to delivering those much needed beds and are passionate about serving the community, hence our determination to see this through the planning system.”