PLANS  to demolish an “asbestos riddled” old building and build a new 38-bed care home on its site has been approved despite parking and traffic concerns.

Exemplar Healthcare has been granted permission by Stroud District Council to redevelop Wyatt House in Mathews Way, Stroud.

Their proposals include the demolition of the existing former nursing home and building a new 38 bed care facility on its site.

The new building will be built with buff brick cladding, UPVc windows and aluminium doors.

Five people objected to the proposals and Councillor Shyama Ananthan (L, Stroud Farmhill and Paganhill) spoke on behalf of residents at the development management committee meeting on October 22.

She raised concerns that 45 car parking spaces are needed but only 18 were provided.

“This will worsen congestion in Matthews Way and Archway Gardens where parking and traffic issues are already severe,” she said.

“This proposal raises significant safety risks for pedestrians and cyclists.

“Increased traffic coupled with narrow roads could block access for emergency services.”

Roisin McFeely, WSP planning consultant, said the proposals would provide a better quality and energy efficient building.

“The new building is of a better quality and energy efficient while providing more and accessible parking and a safer environment for residents,” she said.

She said they held public consultation events for residents to understand their concerns and have amended their proposals to address these.

And explained residents would not have their own cars due to the type of care home it is. And she said it would provide an increase in parking spaces for staff and visitors.

Steve Rigby, of Exemplar Healthcare, said they are not a faceless developer and their primary business is operating care homes. “We are in it for the long haul,” he said.

“We operate over 50 care homes, both new and old in communities just like this one in Paganhill.”

He assured the committee that they would want to integrate fully in what he described as a tight-knit community.

Councillor David Drew (L, Stroud Central) said he was surprised the health and care trust had not been contacted by the development.

He said the reason a community project for the building failed is because the site is riddled with asbestos.

“It’s £1m to pull it down,” he said. Cllr Drew also raised concerns that the county has been a “net importer” of people from the rest of the country who have specific health and care needs.

Councillor Gary Luff (G, Painswick and Upton) said he knew it as a popular cut through for people going to Archway School and asked if anything could be done to protect the children.

Officers said it was not a material planning consideration.

Councillor Helen Fenton (G, Chalford) and seconded by Terri Kinnison (L, Cam West). Councillor Martin Brown said he could see no grounds for refusal.

The committee voted to approve the scheme by ten votes in favour with one against.