AN "essential" three-storey wing is set to be added to Kingsdale in Lion Green, Haslemere, after planning permission was granted by Waverley Borough Council last Wednesday.

The application, submitted by owners St Cloud Care, would see the demolition of the existing two-storey building which currently houses the day centre, dining room, offices and four bedrooms, with a floor area of 240 square metres.

In its place, a three-storey wing of 933 square metres is proposed to be built, providing en-suite bedrooms and supporting day space.

The wing would be linked to the main building by a glazed atrium area over a remodelled entrance area.

It is also proposed to extend the wing closest to Haslemere Methodist Church by 176 square metres to provide bedrooms to a modern size.

Existing changes in floor level in the home would also be removed under the scheme, making it easier for residents to move around.

The proposals would mean the total number of bedrooms would be increased from 45 to 60.

Councillors at the southern area planning sub-committee had deferred the application at its last meeting and amended plans were sent in by the company to address concerns raised by the planning officers.

In support of the application the company had said the proposals will cater for the "changing needs of a modern care home" and will provide larger bedrooms with en-suite facilities.

It was also argued that the application would be "essential" for the home's future success.

The original application had given rise to concerns that the replacement building would have extended to within 3.6 metres of the boundary of houses in Lion Mead.

But the amended plans have moved the end wall to some 9.5 metres away from the boundary, planning officers considered in their report that this would give a "good level of separation" and that with additional planting, the proposal would "not be overly dominant" when viewed from the affected houses in Lion Mead.

One letter of objection had been received by Waverley on the amended plan which raised further concerns that the building would reduce privacy and argued that it would be too large for the site and would be out of proportion to those around it.

A second letter requested a screening fence for the bin area.

Planning officer Ann Wright confirmed that the screening "could be achieved" with a condition attached to the planning permission.