MAJOR plans for two much-needed new care homes look set to be approved by Basildon Council.
Proposals for a 70-bed care home alongside 26 retirement apartments in Cranfield Park Road, Wickford, and a 66-bed residential care home in London Road, Pitsea, have both been recommended for approval by council officers.
Residents in Pitsea highlighted the urgent need for retirement and care housing, suggesting the provision of a new home with increased access to care facilities relieving pressure for home visits on care workers.
Nadia Humphrey, a care assistant who works in Pitsea, said: “I think it would be great news, my work is on a home visit basis and there’s absolutely a need for something like this for people here.
“We know there’s a shortage of accommodation for people who need around the clock care, I think given the location it would be accessible and most definitely help to meet the need for people who live here.
“On top of that it means jobs for people as well, I think it would be a big benefit to the community.”
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Both sites are categorised as green belt, with the reports highlighting an “ongoing need” for care housing across the county which weighed in favour of the proposals despite the concerns.
Fears over access to the site in Wickford have been raised, with the number of workers’ vehicles and ambulances which will need to access the site causing concern over “strain” on the areas roads.
George Jeffery, Basildon Conservative councillor for Wickford Park, said: “The main thing for me is I still have concerns about the loss of green belt land for these developments.
“There is nothing in these plans that indicates large-scale infrastructure commitments to support this site, when you consider the number of ambulances and workers who will need free-slowing access to this site that is an issue that can’t be overlooked.
“There is such a huge volume of planning applications for significant projects up for discussion ahead of the local elections it is hard to see how they will be properly considered.
“it appears they are trying to push through as many as possible without regard for the potential consequences.”
Councillors will vote on the plans on Wednesday.