Babergh councillors praise benefits of 28-bed care centre in Holton St Mary as planning granted

The benefits of a 28-bed care centre were praised by councillors as planning permission was granted.

APT Holdings Limited brought the bid forward for a new community care, rehabilitation and respite centre in Hadleigh Road, Holton St Mary.

Members of Babergh's planning committee met yesterday morning to decide whether it should go ahead.

The plans for the 2.24-hectare site at Holton Hall Farm received some backlash leading up to the decision, with formal objections submitted by 30 residents as well as Holton Parish Council.

Concerns raised included the location, light and noise pollution, and traffic.

Cllr John Ward, representing the village, said although he accepted the plans were 'the future of healthcare', the building would be in the wrong place, particularly due to the potential impact of traffic and lacking public transport options.

Although proposals included the potential of facilitating access to the site from the train station, Cllr Ward said it was 'wishful thinking' to believe staff would go through the extra time and expense, meaning cars would be used instead.

Officers confirmed the potential extra number of car trips in and out of the site was not known.

Cllr Oliver Greene, of Holton St Mary Parish Council, said: "This is a really major project as far as our village is concerned — it would irretrievably damage the character of the village."

Anne Mason, who owns the care business to occupy the site, said the plans would be an asset to the community, provide a unique facility and bring care closer to home.

She said: "We are aware [the parish council] are not keen but what we really hope is that they will really benefit from this space and use it themselves."

According to the company, the proposals would create 80 new jobs, 55 of which full-time, as well as address demand for the services.

Although several councillors agreed the location of the building was not ideal, they concluded the benefits were too good to turn down, many sharing their own stories of looking for care.

Cllr John Whyman said the plans were about creating more independence for those who needed care.

He added: "I've had an issue with an elderly parent where this type of care was not available and they had to go into a care home."

Cllr Peter Beer said: "I know from personal experience how difficult it trying to find this type of care.

"I could not find it in time [and] "I'm sure he'd still be alive today if he'd been able to go somewhere like this."

The decision to approve the plans was unanimous.

Currently, the farm hosts 10 caravans serving seasonal workers in the agricultural business at Holton Park — these will now be moved to the rear of the site.