FRESH plans have been submitted to bulldoze a derelict care home in Stroud and build a new complex on the site.

The new scheme comes after concerns were raised about the original plans submitted in May to demolish and replace Wyatt House in Mathews Way, Paganhill and transform it into a new three storey, 38-bed care home for those with complex needs.

Accommodation at the site, which closed five years ago, would be spread over two-and-a-half floors with the ground level containing a small nine-bed care facility, 14-bedrooms on the first floor and another 14 on the second floor.

Some aspects of the plans have been revised following concerns about the privacy of nearby properties and whether the old building needs to be demolished.

Concerns were raised that the upper car park would overlook properties in Archway Gardens and that a retaining wall would create a large blank expanse of brick.

Under the new plans, parking spaces have been reduced from 22 to 18 while the car park has also been reconfigured to create a sloping landscaped area between the upper and lower areas.

Spaces in the upper car park have been moved to reduce the potential for overlooking homes while a bike store has also been moved.

Boundary fencing will provide further screening and protect privacy, says the applicant.

The planning application says: “The applicant considers that the amended scheme offers sufficient car parking provision while ensuring an acceptable relationship with neighbours and a high quality design.

“It has also been questioned whether the existing care home on the site could be retained and reused.

“However, the building is in a poor physical state and does not meet the requirements of a modern care home provider.

“The building has been closed since 2019 and is currently in a poor state.

“The roof is currently leaking and it is not in line with modern standards including fire safety, is poorly insulated and has a poor layout.

“Bedrooms and other spaces within the existing building are small and would not meet current standards.”

Meanwhile, concerns were also previously raised by Gloucestershire County Council and Gloucestershire Integrated Care Board (GICB) about making sure those with a local connection were prioritised for accommodation.

Other issues related to the potential care home’s CQC registration, design features and green spaces.

In the planning documents, GCC and GCIB said: “We can confirm that following a meeting with the developer and senior leaders within GCC and GICB that we are largely supportive of the proposed development.

“However, we would like to reiterate our concerns around the proposed care home meeting a local need and would like additional reassurance around priority being given to residents of Gloucestershire in the first instance.”

CEO of Stroud Town Council Helen Bojaniwska said: “Stroud Town Council are pleased to see that GCC are now satisfied with the applicant’s response regarding their previous concerns about the demand for services, CQC registration, design features suitable for people with complex needs, safe access to green space for wellbeing, and a willingness for further discussion about prioritising accommodation for individuals with a local connection to Stroud, and the wider district in Gloucestershire.

“Our concerns about drainage and energy performance remain unresolved.”

See the plans at tinyurl.com/ysuwvr6y