Ipswich councillors fury at nursery care home approval

On Wednesday, Ipswich Borough Council's planning committee approved the plan to build a 70-bed nursing home on the grounds of the former Victoria Nurseries.

The application had been refused twice before over parking concerns, a matter residents and Cllr Tim and Inga Lockington said still remained. 

Douglas Bond, on behalf of applicant First Care Homes, said they had worked cooperatively to ensure remaining highway matters are addressed.

Councillor Tim Lockington, who represents St. Margaret's ward at the borough council, called the plans "simplistic, unpleasing and unworthy of a planning process".

He said that a care home in Ipswich is not necessary because of its young population and that such a large care home would provide parking difficulties in the neighbourhood. 

Following the meeting, the councillor said: "I am angry.

"You know you believe in the democratic process but when there are so many residents, who will be directly affected objecting to this plan, how can it be approved?"

Cllr Tim Lockington was dissapointed by the democratic process which approved these plans (Image: Ipswich Borough Council)Applicant First Care Home have been told to improve the bus stop (Image: Google)

The Liberal Democrat councillor added that the committee has not focused on the idea that people during Ipswich Town match days and visitors to care home residents will have to park on the road. 

"This will make it harder for any emergency vehicle to access the road, and ambulances and fire trucks could be delayed or completely stopped because of this," he added. 

Cllr Ian Fisher said on Wednesday that while he still objects to the design of the building, he believes that the applicant has done what was needed. 

"There are two bigger care homes in my own ward with less parking," he added.

Within the planning permission, Suffolk Highways told the applicant First Care Homes that they will have to improve the bus stop, introduce pedestrian crossings and generate a travel plan for staff to use public transport instead of private vehicles. 

Cllr Inga Lockington joined in on objecting to the plans (Image: Newsquest)

Councillor Inga Lockington raised objections to this saying the buses are infrequent and will not help the situation. 

Currently, bus numbers 118 and 119 serve the location, however, they collectively only come to the area ten times a day and do not operate after 6pm. 

Both councillors said: "This would mean that we will have a problem 24/7 in our neighbourhood. And the solution is simply not good enough."