A new 46-bed nursing home could be built close to Armagh.
The development is planned on the Drumilly Road, on the same site as the existing Apple Blossom Lodge Care Home.
It will be a completely separate building and represent a major investment by the award-winning Ann’s Care Homes group.
Proposals have been drawn up and lodged with Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council.
If approved, the new home would deliver close to 31,000 sq ft of healthcare accommodation.
Between the new home and Apple Blossom Lodge, the number of residents capable of being accommodated on site would increase from 37 to 83.
And there would also be a further 20 full-time staff on site daily, with the increase per shift expected to rise from 14 to 34.
The new home would boast 46 en-suite bedrooms, as well as two day rooms, two quiet rooms, two dining rooms, two nurses’ stations, a reception and manager’s office.
There would also be six WCs, two assisted bathrooms, two staff changing areas, a training room, a kitchen, storage and laundry and linen facilities.
The home would provide “residential accommodation and care for people in need of care”.
Proposals also include an upgraded private wastewater treatment plant, solar panels on the south-facing roof elevations and associated site works.
Car parking on site would see an increase from 24 to 47 spaces.
Information provided to ABC Council says the application will “address a recognised need for increased care home provision”.
The home is located on the Drumilly Road, just over three miles from Armagh and almost seven miles from Portadown.
A supporting statement says the additional building will “facilitate the expansion of the care home”.
The proposed building will utilise a lawn area to the front of the existing Apple Blossom Lodge Care Home, which follows the sloping nature of the Drumilly Road.
The statement adds: “The new building will complement the existing healthcare accommodation at the site, providing additional rooms and facilities to care for an increase in capacity of residents.
“The site will utilise the existing site entrance already established, with the proposed building located conveniently within the
existing curtilage of the existing established healthcare facilities.”
The statement says the “principle of development” at the location is considered to be acceptable due to the current operational nursing home which exists. And it says the proposed new 46-bed care home will “expand the current offering at the site, ensuring there are adequate facilities to care for residents in the rural community it will serve”.
Flagging the needs, the applicant points out: “The Trust has been highly complimentary of the Ann’s Care Homes facilities and is keen to continue discussions regarding potential placements at the Apple Blossom Lodge site.
“The applicant has undertaken discussions with the Western Health and Social Care Trust and has received a letter of support for the scheme.”
Given that it is built on a sloping area, it will be a part single-storey and part two-storey structure. The ‘lower ground floor’ would “discreetly house staff and service areas such as the kitchen, laundry, stores, training rooms, plant room, and staff facilities”.
The upper ground floor, accessible to residents, provides 46 en-suite bedrooms, day rooms, dining areas and garden access.
The home will have an “overall residential architectural style that will integrate and be compatible” with the setting.
The statement continues: “The future amenity of residents within the nursing home has been a primary consideration, and accordingly the design of the proposal has incorporated secure outdoor areas for residents to enjoy.”
The siting of the communal areas is also a key consideration – as with the day rooms in the building – in order to “maximise the opportunity for residents to avail of natural daylight through various stages of the day”.
The main entrance and reception area will face towards the main entrance of the existing Apple Blossom Lodge, creating an arrival concourse common to both care homes which will also allow for a shared ambulance pick-up/drop-off area.
The introduction of communal garden areas east of the proposed care home will provide “secluded seating areas to be enjoyed by both residents and staff”. These areas – coupled with the retention of existing surrounding vegetation – aim to create an “attractive, high quality landscape setting”.
North of the proposed care home, a new lowland meadow habitat – enhanced with additional flowering herbs to increase
landscape value – is proposed.
The statement concludes: “This proposal represents a sustainable expansion of rural healthcare infrastructure. It is considered that the design of the proposal is sensitive towards its rural setting and integrates with the existing Apple Blossom Lodge, with the use of similar materials and finishes.
“The proposal will utilise the existing access from the Drumilly Road and any increase to and from the site will have a negligible impact on traffic levels. Car parking provision will meet DfI standards.
“The proposed development delivers community benefit and responds to demonstrable need due to an ageing population.”
The applicant is, therefore, asking that ABC Council planners deliver planning permission “at the earliest opportunity”.
The proposals will now be advertised shortly.
