Plans For Modern Grosvenor Road Care Home Given Go Ahead

Two town centre buildings formerly used as office space are to be demolished to make way for a new, modern care home. 

Members of Wrexham Council’s Planning Committee yesterday approved proposals to demolish 18 Grosvenor Road / partially demolish 16 Grosvenor Road to make way for a modern 34 bedroom care home.

The bedrooms will be spaced out across three floors, along with lounge and dining space, space for nurses and ward managers, kitchens and recreational space. A total of 10 car parking spaces will also be provided for the facility.

Overall 30 jobs will be created, with the building being staffed 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

Speaking about the development, Planning Officer David Williams said: “This accompanies the preceding application for conversation area consent to demolish 18 Grosvenor Road and the partial demolition of 16 Grosvenor Road.

“On 16 the facade has been kept and introduced an extension which falls on the footprint of the existing property. It is a more contemporary approach to the new building and is linked to the existing building through a glazed link which I believe enhances the appearance of the area.

“What the developers have tried to achieve is to ensure the scale of the building and the master building isn’t at odds with existing buildings on Grosvenor Road.

“Previously granted planning for a similar extension and new build, I believe this is a better design that the one previously approved.”

Artist impression of the new care home

Questioning the design of the building, Cllr Graham Rogers said: “I was wondering if the extension from a characteristic point of view, could not encompass the Edwardian style?”

Mr Williams said: “We have got to deal with the application as it is presented to us. There is always going to be more than on solution. There could have been a more traditional approach and I have seen it work well with a contrasting style. I don’t think we would be overly restrictive on repetition on traditional element.”

Concerns were raised about the lack of car parking provided on the site – with only 10 spaces proposed for those working at the facility.

In the planning report presented to the committee yesterday, one of the key concerns listed by local residents was the lack of car parking provided for the facility – with fears that visitors could start parking on Gerald and Vernon Street.

Cllr I. David Bithell said: “There will be thirty staff on three shifts, which is ten per shift. There is only parking spaces for the staff, which is the first concern. Secondly it’s on 82% of the maximum spaces. Why aren’t we providing sufficient parking? We are forcing people to park on the road.

“If there are 12 staff on duty, it’s going to be 33% short for staff there. I have no intention of refusing, it’s just consideration for staff and visitors. We should be more proactive in providing spaces for them.”

Cllr Andy Williams added: “We are making the assumption that anyone in there will not have people visiting them by car.”

However Mr Williams said: “They are the maximum parking standards and what is provided in terms of percentage is a higher percentage than what was previously approved as part of the original scheme. It was previously around 70%. We are accommodating really for staff, not residents.

“It is a care home, it’s in the town centre in walking distance and near public transport. There won’t be overspill as are restrictions on Grosvenor Road.

“We’re making an assumption that everyone will arrive independently by car. There are car shares, public transport and walking.

“It is in town and walking distance. It is a sustainable location, to refuse on parking grounds we would get no where on appeal.”