New extra care apartments are set to be built at Beaufort Park in Burnham-on-Sea following a successful appeal against previous planning refusals. Beaufort Park Ltd., a subsidiary of Agincare, initially sought permission in July 2023 to develop 11 extra care apartments within the grounds of their existing care home on Rectory Road. These plans were rejected twice by Somerset Council’s planning committee north, most recently in May 2024.
The appeal submitted to the Planning Inspectorate has now been upheld by Planning Inspector P. J. Staddon, allowing the project to move forward. Construction could begin before the end of the year. The proposed L-shaped development will be located along the southern and eastern edges of the Beaufort Park site, which was formerly a girls’ school, with some existing ancillary buildings to be demolished or refurbished.
Designed to meet the needs of elderly residents who desire independent living combined with access to on-site care services, the new apartments will feature a sunken garden and additional parking spaces south of the current buildings. This model mirrors similar successful extra care schemes like the one at Quantock House in Taunton.
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Inspector Staddon conducted a site visit in March 2024 and acknowledged that the design would not lead to over-development. He described the single-storey parts of the building as “low-rise and unimposing,” while noting that the two-storey sections would replace existing structures of similar size. Importantly, he found the design to be in keeping with the local character, stating there was nothing incongruous about the development.
Concerns about overshadowing and loss of light to neighbouring properties were dismissed, with the inspector confirming that nearby residents’ living conditions would remain largely unaffected. Regarding parking provision, although only three additional spaces will be added, the overall site offers enough parking capacity for 48 vehicles including minibuses. On his visit, Inspector Staddon observed ample parking availability and no street congestion, clearing doubts about potential parking issues.
With this ruling, Beaufort Park Ltd. can proceed with expanding its facilities, providing much-needed housing options for older adults in Burnham-on-Sea who seek a balance of independence and care.