CONCERNS have been raised over plans for a three-storey care home in Northwich amid fears over impact on local residents and potential ground instability.

Morrison Community Care (Northwich) Propco Limited and Martin Hulme have lodged plans with Cheshire West and Chester Council for a 72-bed home on land south of Chester Way.

The plans also include open space for use by residents and visitors, as well as  27 parking spaces. The greenfield site of 1,250 sq m is located in a residential area 100m from Northwich Railway Station, with access from Peter Street.

A design and access statement submitted in support of the plans said it would provide ‘much needed care housing’.

It said: “It will also result in reduced isolation and loneliness which is a widespread concern for a large section of older people. The development proposal also includes an element of care which is likely to have wider benefits to local GPs and hospitals through a decrease in admissions."

The site where plans could see a new care home built. Image from planning docs by Harris Irwin Architects.The site where plans could see a new care home built. Image from planning docs by Harris Irwin Architects. (Image: Harris Irwin Architects)

It said the scheme would also bring local jobs to the area, adding: “The siting of the care home will bring a highly sustainable location for development into active, productive use in a way that respects the local residential and mixed-use context.”

But concerns have been raised by some local residents called the Peter Street Action Group, as well as the Labour MP for Mid Cheshire Andrew Cooper, and the Cheshire Brine Subsidence Compensation Board - which advises councils on developments planned in areas which may have been impacted by historic brine pumping.

In a document submitted on the council's online planning portal, Cheshire Brine Subsidence Compensation Board, said: "The opinion of the board is that in view of the history of the site there is currently insufficient information to appropriately assess the potential risks to the development which may arise as a result of past brine pumping, natural dissolution and the presence of the abandoned salt mines."

In a letter to the council's chief executive, Andrew Cooper MP raised issues including highways, scale of the building and brine subsidence.

He said: "I note with some concern the comments from the Cheshire Coal and Brine Subsidence Compensation Board. The matters raised in their report suggest that this issue and the risks associated with the brine subsidence have not been properly understood by the applicant."

He added: "Owing to the history of catastrophic brine subsidence in this area, I would request that all concerns raised by the CCBSC are resolved to their satisfaction prior to determination."

The plans can be viewed on the council’s planning portal under the reference: 24/01535/FUL