PLANS for a 24-bed specialist care unit in Crewe have been recommended for approval following the refusal of a similar scheme on the site more than three years ago.

Inspired Life Care Ltd wants to expand its existing care home provision at Telford Court on Dunwoody Way by constructing the new two-storey building on grassland near the existing care home.

Cheshire East Council refused the company’s previous application for an 18-bed home on the site in December 2020 - a decision which was upheld by a planning inspector at appeal the following year.

The council’s planners say this latest proposal, which will be considered by the southern planning committee next Wednesday (May 1), has addressed the previous concerns.

The proposal is for residential care with residents living within bedrooms, with communal lounge areas and outdoor space.

The new building would be separate from the existing care home on the site, with the access in between and the car park re-located to the rear.

The building will be largely two storeys in height facing Dunwoody Way, with some staff accommodation such as staff room, kitchen and offices within the roof space.

The officer’s report to next week’s meeting states: “The design is less dominant than the previous scheme and has a much better relationship with the street scene, neighbours and existing nursing home on the site.

“The building has been moved forward on the site and away from the neighbours' back gardens.”

It adds: “Whilst the previous scheme was refused due to neighbouring amenity concerns, it is considered that the revised design and location of the care home have addressed these issues.”

The scheme proposes an additional nine parking spaces.

The report states this will total 47 with the existing spaces for Telford Court and this is considered sufficient to cater for the development.

Five neighbouring residents have objected to the scheme.

They have raised concerns about the impact on neighbouring amenity due to overlooking, and overbearing, impact, over shadowing and lack of privacy.

Their other concerns include lack of parking and, they say, the existing site already causes problems with neighbours by means of noise, light pollution and bin location.

The application is due to be considered by the southern planning committee on Wednesday, May 1, at 10am at Crewe Municipal Buildings.