Abingdon care home: Plans approved despite concerns over drainage and GP capacity

Applicant HDD Abingdon applied to build a 75-bed care home with access, car parking, landscaping and drainage, on the land north of Copenhagen Drive.

A 75-bed care home and 39 homes have been given the go-ahead on land next to Copenhagen Drive, Abingdon.

The hybrid application also asked for outline planning permission for the residential development.

The initial submission detailed plans for a care home and day nursery, but the scheme was amended after the consultation stage to replace the day nursery with an additional eight residential homes.

Despite concerns, the scheme was permitted by Vale of White Horse District Council's planning committee on January 22.

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Abingdon care home CGI (Image: Vale of White Horse District Council) Mark Giddins, from Abingdon Town Council, said: “We still query the site moving from class C residential to C2 and why and additional care home when the 80 beds at Abbeyfields is yet to be built and there are significant numbers in the district already.

“Local GP surgeries can't cope with this additional commitment.”

Long Furlong Medical Centre also objected.

Fellow objector Pete O'Hare added: “My main concern is the drainage strategy for the development. The developers propose pumping water from the south-west corner into a chamber on the opposite side, where the old drainage ditch enters an old underground pumping system.

“This will restrict the flow of the water which will cause overspill and flooding potential. Any surface water run-off should be contained and dealt with on the site.”

Councillor Robert Maddison, who represents the Abingdon Fitzharris ward, said: “I've been aware of this application for a while. I believe that social good is served by the building of new homes, however this must be supported by infrastructure.

“I was saddened to see that the nursery which was in the application for a long time has been removed. The care home will put additional strain on medical services in Abingdon. It would be my impression that Abingdon is pretty well served for care homes.”

Scott Davidson, managing director of the applicant HDD Abingdon, said: “The site is allocated in the local plan, so the proposal is fully policy compliant. A care need assessment confirmed there is a shortfall of 357 care spaces.

“The applicant is supported by a robust flooding risk assessment. The extent of public open space is 100 per cent policy compliant. We have a high quality scheme which provides much needed affordable housing and care home facilities.”

The application was permitted with seven votes in favour and two against.