A PROPOSAL to demolish a care home and redevelop the site to include a larger facility and community well being centre could soon be given the go ahead.

A report to Suffolk Coastal District Council’s (SCDC) north area development control sub committee recommends approving the plans for Mills Meadow in Fore Street, Framlingham - so long as certain issues are ironed out. The bid has been tabled by UK Care Community Partnerships, which has taken over the running of the county council’s 16 care homes.

It wants to demolish the existing single storey 35-bedroom home and replace it with a two storey 60-bedroom alternative.

A single-storey community well being centre would also provide 25 day care places for older people. Initially, the scheme showed a total of 36 on site parking spaces but this has now been increased to 40. The home would be built in two stages, with residents staying in the existing care home during phase one. Once that is finished they would be moved to the new building to allow phase two to begin.

Framlingham Town Council has supported the development in principal but has raised concerns about the lack of car parking provision, believing it could have a detrimental impact on the already stretched parking situation in the town. The concerns have been echoed by local district councillor Christopher Hudson. SCDC has also received eight letters of objection citing similar fears over parking and that a two-storey development is out of character with the surrounding area and will overshadow neighbouring properties.

But bosses say the number or car parking spaces is adequate, as recent surveys have shown there are just 26 cars on site, with an average day time take up of 16 spaces. The provision is based on one space for every two non-resident staff plus one space for every three bedrooms. It is envisaged the well being centre has a demand for five parking spaces, taking the maximum provision to 40.

The report - to be discussed by councillors next Wednesday - recommends approval, as long as a flood risk assessment is submitted, issues surrounding overlooking a neighbouring property are resolved and any comments from the head of health are considered.

The report says a replacement care home is acceptable in planning terms and accords with policy. “Its design, scale and form would relate satisfactorily to the street scene and nearby conservation area,” it continues.

“It is also considered that the provision of 40 car parking spaces is adequate. Impact upon wildlife and vegetation has been minimised and a condition can be applied to ensure compliance with a Construction Management Plan.”