Planning appeal launched for 60-bed care home in Dereham

Proposals for the new care facility on a patch of land next to the junction of Draytonhall Lane and the A47 in Scarning, at the western edge of Dereham, were refused by Breckland Council in November.

However, an appeal has now been launched to see this decision overturned. 

The plans faced strong local opposition amid concerns that the facility, which would be home to late-stage dementia patients, would be located next to a dangerous junction on the busy A47 and could pose safety risks. 

The developer argued it would be a state-of-the-art facility that would be secure, offering a home for people to live out the last years of their life "with dignity".

The development has been proposed on land east of Draytonhall Lane, next to the A47 trunk road (Image: Google)Scarning Parish Council said: "We do not consider this to be a suitable location for a care home, particularly with dementia patients.

"It is not unheard of for dementia patients to wander off and due to the location it is thought this could end in tragedy.

"The Draytonhall Lane junction with the A47 is well-known to be dangerous. We believe that no development should take place that risks adding additional traffic to this junction."

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The proposals would see the 1.2 acre site transformed with a 60-bed care home, a garden, and 25 parking spaces.  

The applicant sought to address concerns about the development's proximity to the A47 but these issues were deemed to be "fundamental" to the proposal. 

Following a lengthy debate at a Breckland Council meeting in November, these plans were narrowly rejected with six councillors voting to block the bid to five in favour.

The Planning Inspectorate will now consider whether the correct decision was made.