'Significant need' for care homes sees plans for former Leatherhead school site approved

The site lies on Aperdele Road in Leatherhead, near the large Kingston Road Tesco, and the proposals involve the demolition of the old 1970s vacant school site to create a more modern energy efficient building.

The plans were approved by Mole Valley District Council development management committee on Wednesday, January 4.

The care rooms are to be split across four distinct groups over two floors, providing a facility for older people with residential, nursing, dementia and respite care.

The plans also include an activity room for daily events, five communal lounges, a hair salon, cinema, café and five shared dining rooms.

There will also be a private dining room for residents to book for private functions.

Developer Frontier Estates’ agent told the meeting: “As you are aware there is a very significant need for high quality care home bed space in Mole Valley given the ageing population.

“We think it’s important to maximize the potential of well located accessible urban brownfield sites.”

He said the building would also reuse a long-vacant site in Leatherhead and increase jobs in the town.

A financial contribution of £23,586 towards Leatherhead Primary Care Network must also be paid as well as £150,000 to allow improvements to local community facilities within North Leatherhead.

Despite the plans easily passing the committee’s vote, every councillor bar one abstention approved the application, not everyone was fully enamoured with what was being offered.

Councillor Roger Adams (Liberal Democrats: Bookham West), criticising the look of the proposals, said: “If you walk around London you will see buildings that are, in design purposes, really inspired.

“They have a lot of character and are very attractive.

“Why is it that In Mole Valley the majority of designs that come before us are uninspired and non-descript, and quite frankly I find the design at this building to be nondescript and totally uninspired.”