Durban House Nursing Home, Romsey extension plans quashed

Sears Healthcare Ltd wanted to demolish the Mountbatten Wing and build a new extension at Durban House Nursing Home, in Woodley Lane.

The decision, published on May 22, said that the benefits of the scheme would not outweigh the potential environmental harm to the Solent and Southampton Water Special Protection Area (SPA).

In the report, planning inspector P Terceiro said: “The scheme would deliver additional nursing care bedrooms and assist in meeting an identified need in dementia care facilities, so the proposal would make a positive contribution towards this objective.

"There would be employment opportunities and there would be some economic benefits accrued from the construction process. The proposal would deliver modest ecological enhancements.

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“However, given the protection afforded to the integrity of the Solent and Southampton Water SPA and my responsibilities as competent authority in this regard, the benefits of the scheme would not outweigh the harm to the European Designated Site.

"Consequently, the proposal conflicts with the development plan and the material considerations do not indicate that the appeal should be decided other than in accordance with it.”

The application was submitted in 2022 and refused by Test Valley Borough Council's southern area planning committee in January last year. 

While the committee recognised the need for more beds for dementia patients, they thought it was in the wrong place and would be overbearing on the property at 35A Woodley Lane.

The council received 14 objections. One of the reasons for refusal was the "uncharacteristic and unacceptably prominent form of development in Woodley Lane." Also the "detrimental effect on the established character and appearance of the street scene."

The refusal added: “The proposed development by virtue of the height of the two storey extension and close proximity to the common boundary with No.35A Woodley Lane would result in an unacceptable feeling of enclosure that would have an overbearing impact when experienced from the private rear garden of that property.”

Speaking at the meeting in January last year, Cllr Neil Gwynne said: “We do have a need for facilities like this, but does it have to be in this location? This application is in a narrow, residential road.”