A 72 bed care home development is proposed for the site lying between Chester Way and Manchester Road in Northwich.
The land is a vacant site at present with tree and scrub growth. The proposed care home will be accessed off Chester Way, and be three storeys, set in generous landscaping.
The current supply and demand for care beds in the area has been analysed and there is a current undersupply of beds which would support this development, with the demand expected to increase in future years.
New design guidelines have moved forward recently, so a new-build care home, compliant with post-covid guidelines, would be a flagship within Northwich.
The site is to be landscaped with new parking layout, private residents’ garden and open public grounds providing attractive pedestrian access to the local community. Many of the existing trees are to be retained as possible and new planting is proposed to replace any losses.
Access to the site is taken from Chester Way which is the only viable access point for vehicles. This is a busy road and a right hand turn lane is anticipated and shown on the proposals. This cuts into the site and together with establishing the visibility splay, will result in the removal of selected trees and scrub.
The proposed building is located in the centre of the site with the west face set 27m from the rear face of the houses on Barton place to protect the privacy of the existing houses and gardens. This protection is reinforced by the retention of as many existing trees as possible along the boundary to the neighbouring gardens.
The site dictates that the building is a simple rectangle orientated north-south. Entrance in to the care home will be from the north corner, which will contain a café as well as administrative functions whilst providing secure access to the rest of the care home.
The windows will look out north and south to the private resident gardens. These gardens will provide amenity for the residents with external seating, walking paths and a putting green. The landscape here will be richly planted with sensory plants including insect friendly species.
The majority of the existing woodland along Chester Way is retained and enhanced together with a long-term maintenance plan put in place. New grass, shrub and tree planting is proposed outwith the secure gardens to create an open landscape for the local community and the care home residents to enjoy. Benches will be provided to allow those using the space to stay and appreciate the landscape.
Planting will again be rich and diverse. This open space will allow good pedestrian connections from Manchester Road through to Peter Street, Wade Street, and on through to Chester Way, all in an attractively landscaped environment.
PROPOSED FLOOR PLANS
Ground Floor:
First Floor:
Second Floor:
