Plans for £8.5m care village in Buxton refused

Members of High Peak Borough Council’s development control committee voted unanimously in favour of refusing the application for 64 care apartments on land at Brown Edge Road, at a meeting in Chapel-en-le-Frith on Monday.

The proposal, submitted by Housing 21 of Bradford in November, included six one-bed apartments, 58 two-bed apartments, 18 specialist care en-suite single bedrooms and a day centre for older people on the grassland site.

The applicant estimated it would create up to 28 new jobs and 53 car parking spaces would be provided.

Councillors heard that the authority received five letters of objection on grounds such as the windows of the proposed dementia unit will overlook the private garden and bedrooms of number 33, the overall size of the unit is “overbearing” and the wing is too high and will cause “unreasonable overshadowing”.

The council also received a letter of support from landowner Derbyshire County Council, which said that the building was well designed and that the homes and services would enhance the quality of life of older people in Buxton.

Officers recommended the application be refused as the proposed layout was cramped and the development would harm the established character and appearance of the area.

Cllr Tony Kemp said: “The scale is unacceptable. I have serious concerns about the level of parking provision.”

Cllr Pat Jenner agreed, saying: “It’s just too big and in the wrong place.”

All 11 councillors present voted to reject the plans.