Swaffham care home looks set to go ahead

A new Swaffham care home looks set to be given the go ahead despite doctors' concerns the development could have an impact on local health care provision.

The so called 'retirement village' would be built at Highfileld House, Lynn Road, to the west end of the market town.

It would consist of a 45 bedroom care home made up of two storey interconnected units and 13 assisted living units which would be built in a 'cottage style'.

Swaffham Town Council has raised no objection to the scheme and in a report to go before Breckland Council's Development Control Committee next Monday it has been recommended for approval.

However, the report says that local GPs have raised concerns that increasing the number of residential and nursing home beds in the area could have an impact of local health services,

The GPs argue that increasing the number of high dependency patients will place strain on local medical practices and provision for other patients.

But the report states: 'Whilst the concerns raised by local GPs warrant carful consideration, and can be readily understood, the issues are not straight forward from a planning point of view.

'Existing and emerging local policies seek generally to direct new development to market towns, like Swaffham, where local services can most readily be accessed.

'Against this background a rejection of the development on lack of community infrastructure grounds would be difficult to sustain.

'One option to address pressure created by new development would be to seek developer contributions to fund necessary improvements to local facilities.'

The report concludes by recommending the application is approved.

The Development Control Committee will meet on Monday, July 13, at the district council offices in Dereham. The meeting begins at 9.30am.