New Pontypool care home set for go-ahead

A NEW care home for adults with learning difficulties could be coming to Pontypool despite objections from local residents who say the new building would cause “stress, inconvenience and financial loss.”

At a planning meeting on Tuesday, councillors will consider an application from staff at Regency House Residential Home to build a new building at their site in Parkes Lane, Tranch.

The new 24-bed residential care home for adults with learning difficulties and behavioural problems would sit alongside the current residential home which cares for the elderly.

But 52 residents have signed a petition stating the proposals are “unsuitable” and “inappropriate” while two letters of objection from other locals have been sent to the local planning authority.

Concerns include an increase in traffic, worries about safety if residents were to leave the care home unaccompanied and reduction in the value of properties.

The three-storey building proposed would consist of a lower ground floor which would house the main entrance as well as offices, storage space and a kitchen and laundry.

The upper ground floor level would consist of eight standard bedrooms and eight bedrooms specifically for disabled people while the first floor would house four standard bedrooms and four bedrooms specifically for disabled people.

All bedrooms would be en-suite.

Also included in these top two floors would be lounges, dining rooms, bathrooms, a sensory room and a hair salon.

The main body of the building will measure 58 metres by 12 metres and the application includes 12 new parking spaces as well as a dedicated ambulance parking space.

The modern building will include features such as corner windows, balconies and large roof lights.

Councillors are recommended to approve the proposals subject to conditions including that a plan stating the full method and hours of construction of the building is submitted to the local planning authority before work begins.