Call to save ‘historic’ care home
9:08am Thursday 11th March 2010 in News
RESIDENTS are up in arms at plans to demolish a care home and replace it with a modern building with much more capacity.
Vale house Residential Ltd wants to knock down the 19th century Vale House, which can currently look after 15 people, and replace it with a building for 41 residents and provide 10 parking spaces.
A consultation was held with residents in February last year to address their concerns. The firm said many fears about loss of trees and additional traffic were allayed when the scheme was presented.
But 13 residents have since written to Bolton Council objecting to the plans, complaining about parking fears and the loss of an historical building.
Among them is Stuart Whittle, chairman of Horwich Heritage, who said: “Vale House is a 19th century building of significant local importance which should not be demolished without careful consideration of the options.The proposals represent an over-intensive development of the site to the detriment of neighbours.”
Malcolm Lloyd, of Mallard Drive, Horwich said: “I strongly object to this on the grounds of totally inadequate car parking facilities being provided for large numbers of staff and visitors alike.
“I believe this will lead to unacceptable parking on all the surrounding streets.”
Vale House Residential Ltd said in its design and access statement to Bolton Council: “Due to its scale and age, and as the existing building was not designed to suit present day purpose, it has become impossible to viably maintain the house and continue to meet nursing home registration standards.”
Bolton Council planning committee will rule on the plan.
