Plans to extend an existing care home in Ilkeston are set to be considered by councillors at next week’s Erewash Borough Council Planning Committee meeting.
The application relates to Oliver House Nursing Home, on Oliver Road, Kirk Hallam, and proposes the demolition of a nearby bungalow on Ladywood Road to allow the care home to expand.
If approved, the scheme would see the creation of eight additional bedrooms with en-suite facilities, along with new communal lounge and dining areas, secure garden space and additional staff parking.
What is being proposed?
The plans involve extending the existing nursing home onto the adjacent plot, which currently contains a detached bungalow. The proposed extension would be single-storey, with pitched and hipped roof elements, and would link parts of the building to form an internal courtyard garden.
Oliver House currently has 26 bedrooms. The expansion would increase capacity while also reconfiguring internal spaces to improve communal facilities for residents.
Local concerns raised
The application is being referred to the planning committee due to the number of objections received.
Residents living nearby have raised a range of concerns, including:
- Increased traffic and congestion
- Parking pressures in surrounding streets
- Noise from staff movements and vehicles
- Privacy and security issues
- The impact on the residential character of the area
Some neighbours have also questioned whether the proposed parking provision would be sufficient and whether increased use of the Ladywood Road access could cause disturbance.
Planning officer assessment
In a report prepared for councillors, planning officers say the proposal is acceptable in principle, noting that similar schemes on the site were previously approved in 2016 and 2019.
Officers state that residential care homes are considered a conforming use within residential areas, and that the scale and design of the extension are not expected to cause unacceptable harm to neighbouring properties.
Highways officers have raised no objection, subject to conditions, and say the proposal represents a less intensive scheme than earlier approved plans.
Environmental Health officers have recommended conditions to control noise, dust and disruption during construction.
What happens next?
The application will be debated by councillors at the Planning Committee meeting on Wednesday 11 February, where members will decide whether to approve or refuse the proposal, or approve it subject to conditions.
Ilkeston News will report on the outcome following the meeting.