PLANS for the redevelopment of Le Court have come under fire from Greatham Parish Council, which believes that the result would be a Ògrey institutional buildingÓ and very unhappy residents.

Three planning applications have been submitted to East Hampshire District Council for the redevelopment of Le Court, with the existing 50-bed home in Greatham demolished and replaced by a new 20-bed home on a different part of the site.

This is because the homeÕs owner, the Leonard Cheshire Foundation, needs a building which meets new legislation and says that the conversion of the existing building is not possible.

Instead, it proposes that the new home be built - paid for by cash raised by the construction of 25 private homes nearby made up of two developments.

Provision will be made for the remaining 30 current Le Court residents through an independent living scheme and the construction of a second home, but no firm plans have yet been unveiled.

Eight of the new private homes would be created by converting existing farm buildings. An additional 17 terraced homes would also be built.

But the plans did not go down well with Greatham Parish Council, which on Monday objected to the scheme.

Planning committee chairman Anna Dale-Harris said: ÒWhile we do not object to the principle of demolishing and rebuilding the care home to meet new improved standards, we object to the fact that 30 of the existing residents have no provision made for them on this site - or anywhere else. While a few may wish to leave and be able to live on their own, it is clear that the vast majority would need to remain in a care home.

ÒThese are residents of Greatham parish, many of whom are unable to express their own views on this matter.

ÒDespite a promise that Ôno resident would have to leave the home against their wishesÕ and that Ôany current resident who wants to stay may do soÕ, the proposed new home is designed to accommodate only 20 high dependency residents. Guarantees must be put in place that these promises will be fulfilled.Ó

Mrs Dale-Harris described the design of the new home as Òvery greyÓ and looking Òinstitutional and depressingÓ.

ÒIf it is to resemble a ÔhomeÕ rather than an institution, the choice of material should reflect that,Ó she said.

She also pointed out that the existing on-site staff accommodation would be lost to make way for private homes.

ÒThe provision of staff accommodation is an essential element in being able to attract and retain such staff,Ó she told the meeting. ÒThe future of the nursing home is therefore dependent on its retaining staff accommodation on site.Ó

Mrs Dale-Harris said that the planning committee also had concerns over the design of the 25 private homes proposed.

She termed it Òexcessively dense development for this open rural areaÓ with a ÒsuburbanÓ feel.

She said that nine spaces for the eight homes in the farm buildings was Òwell below realistic requirements for dwellings in a rural location such as this, nearly half a mile from a road and with very little public transportÓ.

She added that the parking for the other 17 proposed homes was equally inadequate.

The councillor rounded off the committeeÕs recommendation by pointing out that the future of Le Court was Òa very emotional issueÓ and needed to be handled carefully.

ÒThese proposals, taken as a whole, will result in the break-up of a special community which has supported disabled people and their families since being set up by Leonard Cheshire approximately 50 years ago,Ó she said.

ÒLeonard Cheshire himself lived at Le Court and it was here that he started this charity which offered disabled people a ÔHome for LifeÕ.Ó

The final decision now rests with East Hampshire District Council.