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Thorrington: Silverwoods plans under threat
A FORMER crisis housing site for asylum seekers and homeless is not suitable for a care home, according to planners.
A blueprint for a 64-bed residential home at Silverwoods in Thorrington will be reconsidered by Tendring Council's development control committee on Tuesday*may 8*.
Members have been recommended to refuse Nelson Housing's application.
The proposal was given permission in August but an agreement to provide a footpath along the front of the six-acre site has not been signed.
In addition the boundary of the application site has been redefined and the plot has been reduced by about 0.5 acre.
As a result it has to be reconsidered by the committee.
The council adopted a new local plan to guide planning matters in December which does not support care homes in the countryside.
In a report to councillors, it says the site is too far away - 1km - from the village centre.
The site in Tenpenny Hill has been out of use since April 2006.
It was used for asylum seekers until 2002 when it was turned over to short-term accommodation for the disadvantaged and homeless.
Five-year-old Courtney Bristow died when the chalet she was in caught fire in November 2005.
Most of the structures have been demolished and ground work has started but building cannot start until a full application is approved.
9:25am Thursday 8th May 2008
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CommentPosted by: Maree on 1:10pm Mon 12 May 08
It is not entirely accurate to say that this site was used for asylum seekers and the homeless 'until 2002'. Prior to it being used for this purpose it was a perfectly serviceable 'motel with a difference', having wooden chalets in a wooded area.
If my memory serves me correctly, a child died because her mother fell asleep leaving a lighted candle - which would be a pretty dangerous thing to do anywhere. I would love to see this site refurbished and re-open as a motel - it has such potential.
It is not entirely accurate to say that this site was used for asylum seekers and the homeless 'until 2002'. Prior to it being used for this purpose it was a perfectly serviceable 'motel with a difference', having wooden chalets in a wooded area.
If my memory serves me correctly, a child died because her mother fell asleep leaving a lighted candle - which would be a pretty dangerous thing to do anywhere. I would love to see this site refurbished and re-open as a motel - it has such potential.
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