PROPOSALS for the construction of nine sheltered housing units at the rear of a residential home near Launceston could be refused in their current format if submitted as part of a full planning application.

That is the verdict of Cornwall Council’s planning team in response to a pre-application advice enquiry by Wentworth Health Care.

The potential developers wish to build the nine units on land north of the 40-bed Beaumont Court residential home, at Church Hill, North Petherwin.

In response to the enquiry, the council said that it would likely gain officer support if there were less properties on the site, but in its current format the plans could be refused.

In their application, the company told Cornwall Council: “The proposed individual sheltered housing units are designed around a landscaped courtyard development of single storey dwellings. There are nine dwellings which are a mixture of detached and semi-detached units. These are of single storey construction, whilst being traditional in appearance with white rendered walls and set under grey tile roofs. They are modern sustainable homes meeting current building regulation standards with energy efficiency in mind.

“Each individual supported housing unit has two bedrooms specifically designed with future proofing and flexibility in mind, the needs for elderly residents can vary and the second bedroom is essential as it offers the ability for a carer to stop over if required during the later stages of care. If residents are more active in their earlier senior years they may chose for family and friends to stop with them.

“North Petherwin has a long-established Care Home at Beaumont Court and supported homes for the elderly would be a natural addition to the facilities provided on site.

“Older persons living in sheltered accommodation like the added security and reassurance of a centre duty manager on hand living near their own homes and this will be provided from the Beaumont Court Residential Home.

“From a construction point of view the build is straightforward, the site is level and land drains will carry surface water to the existing watercourse, there is an existing pumping station for foul drainage and an additional pump will be installed which will discharge into the mains sewer.

“New bat and bird boxes will be installed to increase biodiversity and the landscaping scheme within the courtyard area will provide an attractive environment.”

Responding to the plans, the Cornwall Council planning officer told Wentworth Health Care: “Based on the information supplied I can advise that an application for the development of the land for sheltered housing dwellings is likely to gain officer support however if an application is pursued, I would recommend reducing the number of units proposed. An application for nine dwellings is unlikely to be supported.”