Derelict hotel to be replaced with care home

A dilapidated hotel is due to be demolished and replaced with a care home.

The planning committee at Braintree District Council voted unanimously in favour of the proposal for the former Woodlands Hotel near Haverhill.

The building, which is in the Essex village of Sturmer beside the Suffolk border, would be replaced with a 64-bedroom care home.

Planning committee member Peter Schwier described the application as a "good opportunity".

The Conservative councillor also told the meeting on Tuesday it was "really essential" that infrastructure was in place for the ageing population.

The Local Democratic Reporting Service said the plans from County Care Homes 5 Limited - for the land north of Coupals Road, were backed by Sturmer Parish Council.

Anti-social behaviour and fly-tipping had been reported at the derelict site since the hotel closed in 2018, the parish council said.

Eighteen trees would be cut down and 53 new trees would be planted as part of the plans.

The report presented to councillors said the care home would create about 20 full-time jobs

The care home would cater for dementia patients and would have a small cafe, council officers said.

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