Plans approved for major 66-bed care home in Lancashire village

Fylde Council has granted planning permission for the demolition of an existing bungalow at 258 Lytham Road, Bryning with Warton and the construction of a two-storey care home for older people, together with parking, landscaping, a substation, cycle store, bin store and associated facilities.

The scheme, proposed by LNT Care Developments, will provide 66 bedrooms and specialist accommodation for residential and dementia care on land currently used as part of the Oaklands caravan storage site.

The care home garden visual (Image: Fylde Council)

The development will include landscaped gardens, a cinema room, hair salon, café, activity spaces and communal lounges.

Planning permission was issued on September 30 after a Section 106 agreement was completed between the council, the landowners and the developer.

Under the agreement, the developer must pay £18,097 towards healthcare infrastructure at Holland House Surgery within Freckleton Health Centre, a contribution requested because the development is expected to increase demand on local health services.

The planning statement submitted with the application noted that a previous proposal for a care home on the site had been recommended for approval but was ultimately refused because a healthcare contribution had not been secured.

According to the applicant, the care home is expected to create between 50 and 60 jobs and provide around-the-clock care for older people while also helping to reduce pressure on NHS services.

During the application process a number of consultees examined the proposals.

The Environment Agency said it had no objection and concluded the development would be safe from flooding provided the mitigation measures contained in the flood risk assessment were implemented.

It noted the proposed building's finished floor level would sit above predicted flood levels.

United Utilities also raised no objection in principle, subject to conditions relating to drainage and flood prevention measures.

The scheme attracted scrutiny because of its proximity to BAE Systems Warton Aerodrome.

An earlier response from the Ministry of Defence raised concerns about potential birdstrike risks and objected in its original form, requesting bird hazard management measures and changes to landscaping proposals.

A Construction Bird Hazard Management Plan was later produced, setting out measures to monitor and disperse gulls and corvids during construction and requiring liaison with the aerodrome where necessary.

Highway concerns were also resolved during the application process.

While the Lancashire County Council highway authority initially objected to the proposed access arrangements and requested changes, revised plans were later submitted and the authority subsequently confirmed it had no objections on highway safety, capacity or amenity grounds.

The approved development will provide 30 parking spaces, including disabled bays and electric vehicle charging spaces, together with cycle parking.

As part of the permission, residents must be qualifying older people assessed as requiring care and support services.

The development is also subject to a long list of planning conditions covering drainage, landscaping, biodiversity enhancements, highway works, ecological mitigation and construction management.