More bedrooms for Pulborough dementia care home given go-ahead

The application, for land to the rear of The Anchorage Residential Home, was considered by Horsham District Council’s planning committee on Tuesday (October 16).

This was the second amendment to the original application, which was approved in March 2016. The first allowed for extra space to include staff accommodation.

Andy Tilbrook, of Pulborough Parish Council, shared concerns about traffic access and over-development of the site.

Other objections received by the council included concerns that the changes made to the original, one-storey, application meant the building would be ‘out of keeping’ with the area.

Access to the site would be via  Coombelands Lane, which some objectors pointed out was prone to flooding.

Dr Tilbrook said: “During the winter that is a lake. It floods and the floods stay. This year the last water vanished from that site on the second of July.

“At times, the water stays across the road and stays there for weeks. And when it’s cold in the winter, it’s a very cold spot and the water freezes.”

The application was approved almost unanimously, with council leader Ray Dawe (Con, Chantry) abstaining after telling members he did not think it included enough parking spaces.

Brian Donnelly (Con, Pulborough & Coldwaltham) said: “I think we’re very privileged to have a fantastic facility like this coming to Pulborough village.

“It is a fact that dementia is a growing population because of people living older in the UK today. Many of us have had involvement with dementia in one way or another.

“It is a problem – a growing problem – and to provide facilities in the village of Pulborough is fantastic.”