Thumbs up for Birkdale care village as inspector overturns planning refusal

A new Belong care village has been given the greenlight in Birkdale, Southport.

The site for the scheme, designed by national architecture firm Pozzoni, was previously occupied by a school for the blind.

The care village will offer accommodation for over 100 older people once complete, including those with dementia.

Planning consent was secured following an appeal by Manchester-based Mosaic Town Planning on behalf of care village operator Belong, in the wake of Sefton Council’s initial refusal in March last year.

The inspector’s report concluded that the character and appearance of the nearby West Birkdale Conservation Area would be preserved, dismissing the authority’s initial concerns regarding the impact of the plans on local heritage assets.

According to Pozzoni, the scheme’s designs will take inspiration from its surroundings.

The development will comprise six households across three levels, with 24-hour support provided in small-scale, home-like accommodation.

Pozzoni associate Emma Tanti, who served as project lead on the Belong Birkdale project, said: “We have extensive experience in dementia-friendly design and best practice principles will be used throughout.

“Simple design elements can make a big difference for people living with dementia to better understand their environment and help maintain their independence.”

She added: “Belong Birkdale will be non-institutional in design, offering a vibrant and welcoming environment which will become a real asset not just to older people in the area, but the wider community too.”

Mosaic Town Planning associate Leon Armstrong commented: “We are pleased that the inspector has acknowledged the contribution this community care village will make to the surrounding conservation area.

“The site has been vacant for some time and has become a blot on the local landscape. We believe that a Belong village is well suited to the location and will help to provide numerous benefits to those with care needs and the local community.”

Belong operations director Tracy Paine said: “We fully expect that Belong Birkdale will quickly prove a real asset to the local community, offering drop-in services and a vibrant programme of activities for local people, as well as more intensive support for those who need it.”

Work is due to begin on site by the end of 2017.

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