Shrewsbury hospice extension plan receives planning boost
A bid to build a new day centre at The Severn Hospice has received a boost from planning officials.
Shropshire Council's planning officers have released a note indicating that the proposals to build the new 'living well centre' at the charity's Bicton Heath base, are backed up by two planning policies – meaning the project is more likely to get the green light.
The guidance note was prepared to address the principle of building the new detached extension in what is described as 'countryside'.
The application is said to have met one of the authority's key policies 'CS8', which states "the development of sustainable places in Shropshire with safe and healthy communities where residents enjoy a high quality of life will be assisted."
As a result the guidance indicates that the application meets the requirements.
It states: "In this context, the particular role and function of Severn Hospice should be recognised. The facility explicitly seeks “to provide the best care and a better life for people living with an incurable illness, and for those important to them”. This independent charity supports its existing facility largely through charitable donations outside the National Health Service, however, the services provided are part of the public health services offered to the people of Shropshire and beyond. Severn Hospice may be seen to be particularly deserving of the support and assistance indicated by Policy CS8 and the local plan. These services benefit all residents of Shropshire irrespective of status and any benefits accruing from this development will help provide surety over the future provision of this inclusive service, due to the charitable status of the hospice."
The planning note also indicates that the setting for the site is in accordance with the county's policies.
It states: "The application site is considered an appropriate site, situated within the setting of the existing Severn Hospice. The proposed development will provide community benefits with some level of local economic opportunity and so will improve the sustainability of all rural communities served by Shrewsbury, as the sub-regional centre. These benefits both support and mitigate for the balance of the effects of the development on the need to maintain and enhance countryside vitality and character. In fact, it is considered that these effects are largely positive."
The new centre would be made up of a detached, part single, part two storey building on a plot of land to the west of the existing hospice site.
The charity wants to create the new day centre and community facility as the initial point of contact for all visitors to the hospice.
The application states: "The new building will function as an integral part of the existing hospice facility and be set up to become the initial point of contact for all visitors to the hospice. It also includes provision for additional external car parking, access roads (served off the existing Clayton Way) and pedestrian links through to the existing main hospice site. There is also a new community focused area provided within the new building, including a coffee shop."
