Villagers oppose 'eyesore' care complex

Plans to build a care complex for elderly people and children with learning difficulties in a village have been branded an “eyesore” and overdevelopment by residents.

Just Pubs Ltd has applied to create a 68-bed care home and 17 extra care units in Long Buckby in Northamptonshire.

Villagers have said the development would not be in keeping with the neighbourhood.

Just Pubs says the complex "has been designed to a high standard and will complement the surrounding village".

If approved, the two-and-a-half-storey care home would include a café and bar, communal lounge and a dining area.

The assisted living units would be for children between the ages of 5 and 18 with learning difficulties.

People living in houses nearby have criticised the proposals over a lack of parking in the facility, the introduction of care units for children to the plans and the proximity of the development to neighbouring homes.

One person commented: “There are already significant issues with regards to parking on Bakers Lane and these would be compounded by users and most likely workers at the development parking on the estate.

“I cannot see how there is enough capacity to support workers, residents and relatives visiting. By the nature of its size in the plans this is completely not in keeping with not only the estate, but in fact any village of this size.”

The plans include 27 parking bays for the 68-bed care home and a further 19 spaces for the care units.

Just Pubs Ltd has confirmed that the site would create 80 full-time equivalent jobs in total, with a maximum of 37 staff on-site at any one time.

Another frustrated neighbour wrote: “The scale of the main care home building is out of keeping with the neighbouring residential properties.

"A more centrally located main care home or development consisting entirely of bungalows and apartments would surely be more in keeping with the residential setting.”

While the application has not received any supportive comments so far, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said many responses did agree that a care facility for the elderly in the village was needed.

A decision on the plan is likely to be made in November.

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