By Carmelo Garcia – Local Democracy Reporter
Plans to expand a Forest of Dean care home have been approved despite strong opposition, with one neighbour claiming children have been shouted at.
Severn Care Ltd was granted permission this week for a single storey residential unit within the grounds of Gatwick House in Bollow near Westbury-on-Severn.
The assisted living facility accommodates up to 14 adults with severe learning disabilities which require 24-hour care and support. And the latest proposal will provide the potential to increase the capacity to support 15 people.
However more than 40 people objected to the retrospective proposals, which were considered by the Forest of Dean District Council’s development management committee on October 13.
Martyn Burrows, a resident who spoke at the meeting, described coming back to the council as “totally disappointing”. He told the meeting the development had outgrown its site and is having an impact on local people.
“We’ve been here several times,” he said. He said the development started with “six people, then eight people, then ten, then 14 now 15”.
“Now, we haven’t got a problem with the residents. We haven’t got a problem with the development.
“What we have got a problem with is it has been done underhanded again.
“The development has outgrown where it should be. It was originally an orchard.”
He went on to say the lane flooded six times last year and it was “over the top of the wheels” and claimed a newt pond had been filled.
“It might not matter to you but it matters to us because we live there and we’ve got to put up with it,” he added.
“You don’t live there. We do. You don’t know what the impact is on people.
“My kids are in the garden on a Sunday morning and they come screaming in because someone is shouting at them down the road.
“Now that’s encroaching on my lifestyle.”
Hannah Morris told the meeting she has been the registered manager at Gatwick House for two and half years and could not comment on what had happened historically.
She explained the care home, now known as Gatwick Rise, underwent a full management restructure two and a half years ago.
“Since then we have been working incredibly hard to ensure the people we support are happy, safe, well supported and living fulfilling lives,” she said.
She said they also strongly believe in being part of the community and use the local facilities.
Ms Morris went on to say council officers said the plans were in line with planning policies and they have heard and understood the concerns from residents.
“I’m happy to engage with the neighbours. Come and speak to us about any of the issue rather than going directly to councils so that we can resolve them.”
She said the suggestion that people “wander the lanes alone” is “simply not the case”.
“Everyone we support is supported 24 hours a day by experienced staff members,” she added.
She also said their Care Quality Commission (CQC) rating for Gatwick Rise is for 14 people and that will not increase and she explained they currently support eight people.
She called on the committee to “consider the person behind the application”.
During the debate, Councillor Richard Burton (G, Newnham) proposed approving the plans in line with the officer’s recommendation and this was seconded by Cllr Gill Moseley (LD, Newent and Taynton).
But this was done before Westbury-on-Severn Councillor Simon Phelps (I) had a chance to address the committee. He said he felt it was a “bit rash” that they should propose the plans are acceptable before hearing the ward councillor speak.
He went on to say the plans had proved to be a “very contentious” issue in the parish. And he raised concerns over safeguarding, environmental issues around sewage and unauthorised road markings.
“There is a great sense of frustration that these issues have not been addressed by the appropriate authorities,” he said.
“This has gone on repeatedly for a considerable number of years.”
Councillor John Francis (I, Huntley and Longhope) said the committee was debating the latest development and a planning condition could address the sewage issues.
He went on to say that “there needs to be a reaching out from this establishment to the community to address their concerns”.
Vice-chairman Patrick Kyne (L, Coleford) said some of the concerns raised were historical as management has changed and that the CQC said it is a “good operation”.
He said he would vote for the officer’s recommendation. The committee ultimately voted to grant permission.