Plans for huge new care home in Morpeth set to be approved by committee
Plans for a large-scale care home on the site of a former garage in Morpeth are expected to be approved next week.
The development would see a care home block comprising 105 en-suite apartments built on the former Benfield Motors Garage site on Hillgate in Morpeth. The existing buildings would be demolished to make way for the new structure, which would be between three and five storeys high.
A report set to be presented to Northumberland County Council's Strategic Planning Committee next Tuesday states that the proposals would create 90 jobs for local people. The site is described as "derelict" and "in a state of disrepair" despite the fact it is in the town's conservation area.
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The planning report also describes a "significant need" for a new care home in Morpeth highlighted by a needs assessment carried out to support the application. This need is due to a large elderly population within the Morpeth area, coupled with a lack of "future proofed" homes.
It adds that there is no evidence the proposed care home would "adversely impact" upon existing care homes within Morpeth or the wider area. Just five letters of objection were submitted to the council, along with 14 letters of support.
The application has been submitted by Ponteland-based developer Roseville (Hillgate) Ltd and has been recommended for a "minded to approve" decision by council planners, subject to the resolution of a number of factors. These include an agreement around a £41,000 contribution to local healthcare services and £10,000 for open spaces.
A review is currently being undertaken of the development's flood evacuation measures after the council's public health team raised concerns. The report states that discussions are ongoing and members of the planning committee will be updated ahead of next week's meeting.
Earlier this month, council leader Glen Sanderson said the county had seen a "consistent increase" in care needs over the last five years, with social care pressures this year coming in "unprecedented numbers".
Figures compiled by the council reveal that in 2023/24, the cost to the local authority of adult social care was approximately £139m (net of Government grants and other income). This represents an increase of £42m since 2019.