Care Home Plans Refusal Means You Could Pick Up The Bill
According to the latest news if a council decision branded "political" by developers is overturned then taxpayers could be hit with a thousand pound bill.
The care home in question in this case is called Highfield House. The care home stands at 92 Higher Drive, Kenley. It opened in November after being granted planning permission on appeal. It serves many residents and has 22 beds. It specifically serves NHS patients with severe neurological disorders and is a great asset and support to the community. The power generator, which is the item being questioned, is needed to help the care home run.
The planning committee decided to flout its officer's original advice and decided to refuse a planning application for the care home’s back up power generator.
Laura Field, the Planning officer, said there were absolutely "no grounds" to refuse the retrospective application.
However, councillors in the town voted five to three to do just that. They said that the 28-sqm facility was an eyesore and having the power generator there totally changed the style and character of the area. Residents have mixed opinions about the care home’s power generator and it has caused much debate over the past month, since it was put there on December 15th 2011.
Selhurst councillor Timothy Godfrey voted to approve the generator. He said "Refusal could incur the cost of appeal, which would be unacceptable for the taxpayer. I do not see a visual problem with the street scene."
East Coulsdon councillor Chris Wright objected to the power generator at the care home and said "This would have a very strong impact on the street scene and be detrimental to local residents. The council takes a dim view of retrospective applications. I am absolutely delighted to give my refusal."
It is thought that the council may have to pay the costs of an appeal by developers. This will be the case unless the council can show reasonable planning grounds for the decision to have the power generator for the care home there.
Agent for the owners Fairlie House, Ian Coomber, said "Once again this leaves the site operator having to resort to an independent inspector at appeal, removing the decision from the local political arena in the hope of obtaining an outcome based on planning merits alone."
South Norwood councillor Wayne Lawlor added: "I have sympathy with the objectors, but it could incur great costs at appeal, so I will approve it."
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Scott Artichoke Did you know thousands of people are wrongly paying care fees that should be covered by the NHS? You can now claim back care fees by submitting a claim. Successful care home claims and now common and can run into the thousands so make sure you find out if you are eligible. |