Telford dementia unit gets the green light

People living in Roden had also raised concerns about the development at Roden Hall Care Home.

The home has previously been told it needs to improve after inspectors found residents were “at risk of potential harm” earlier this year.

And residents had objected to the plans saying it would dominate the area and cause loss of light, noise pollution and issues with village infrastructure.

A meeting of Telford & Wrekin Council's planning committee, held at the Whitehouse Hotel in Wellington on Wednesday, was attended by members of the public with representations made from local residents and ward member Councillor Stephen Bentley, for Edgmond and Ercall Magna, who spoke against the officer recommendation to grant planning permission.

Following a heated debate, delegated authority was granted to as members voted with six in support of the officer recommendation and three against.

The decision was made despite concerns about its location

Councillor Nicola Lowery, ward for the Ironbridge Gorge who is member of the planning committee said: “In principal I am greatly in support of a scheme which seeks to provide specialist dementia care in our Borough. However, question if this is the right location to be introduce a new form of development and if this would improve the standards of care of the existing care facility.

"Roden Hall is an iconic building in this rural location and an appropriate future use needs to be secured. Unfortunately, further evidence needs to be provided to satisfy members on why the existing building cannot be upgraded to meet the standards of care required.

“This proposal raises a number of concerns, as the proposal for the new development is not in a sustainable location, with a limited bus service and community facilities. I also need more reassurance that the people currently receiving care in Roden Hall Nursing Home will not be adversely affected during the construction phase.

“The provider of this care home Rotherwood Healthcare is currently listed by the Care Quality Commission as requires improvement for the existing Roden Hall Care Home and St George’s Park Care Home was put into Special Care measures earlier this year as it was deemed inadequate.

"Therefore, whilst this is not a planning consideration as Councillors we have a duty of care to our residents and must ensure we protect the most vulnerable members of our communities. There is not enough evidence to suggest why the existing building cannot be upgraded and I am not satisfied that the new form of development will improve the level of care we need to be seeing at this care home."