A care home in Saffron Walden is set to convert a day centre room into five new bedrooms for its residents.
Plans have been agreed for the works at Stanley Wilson Lodge, Four Acres, Saffron Walden, which will also include externally blocking up one window and replacing two double doors and three windows with new door and window arrangements for each of the new bedrooms.
The council planning officer's report states the majority of the works are internal, and the changes to the care home "would not be to the detriment" of the environment and surroundings - such as trees with preservation orders on them.
The council found that while the care home is in a conservation area, changes are “minimal and would not fundamentally change the street scene".
Stanley Wilson Lodge was rated as 'good' overall in its last inspection by the Care Quality Commission in 2019.
The council officer's report states: "The current building is already in use as a care home, the principle of the conversion of the existing daycare room into additional bedrooms is acceptable, the external changes to the building are considered to be minimal and the change would not be to the detriment of the residents or neighbours.
"The application, due to its size, scale and proposed usage, would not result in any material detrimental overlooking, overshadowing or overbearing.
"Therefore, it would not adversely impact on neighbours’ amenity due to the location of the proposed development within the site and the separation distance from any neighbours.
"The application includes a completed biodiversity checklist. All of the questions have come back negative.
"It is therefore unlikely the proposed development will have harmful or adverse impacts on any protected species."
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Stanley Wilson Lodge is a family-run home, offering respite care and long-term residential care, dementia, nursing and end-of-life care.
The day centre, called the Saffron Club, welcomes members of the community for activities, home-cooked meals and to receive personal care and support.
There are currently 75 bedrooms, all of which feature an en-suite wet room, and there is also a library, cinema room and alternative therapy room.
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