Casterbridge Lodge in Winterbourne Steepleton wants to expand

Care home in bid to expand and offer 12 new rooms and staff accommodation

Paul JonesMarch 22, 20240 Comment0

A DORSET care home has submitted plans for an extension.

Casterbridge Lodge, off the B3159 at Winterbourne Steepleton, has applied to Dorset Council for permission to build a two-storey extension.

The scheme would see the number of beds on offer increase from 34 to 46.

Two other buildings are also included in the plan, submitted by WDA on behalf of the care home, which would provide staff accommodation.

“To make a success of a care home, an operator requires at least 45 beds,” the application said. “There are currently 34 rooms, 32 of which have en-suite bathrooms, set over two storeys.

“As part of extensive works to upgrade existing facilities, the applicant seeks permission to extend the building so it is able to cater for an additional 12 en-suite bedrooms and an additional day room.”

How the extension at Casterbridge Lodge could look. Picture: WDA/Dorset Council

The scheme would see the building extended to the southern side by around 11 metres, with six private bedroom suites on the ground floor, six on the first floor, with an “inviting new communal day room that benefits from peaceful views of the landscape to the south”.

“The proposal capitalises on the opportunity to give the building a new public identity, creating a simple but beautiful new element which harmonises the building with its countryside setting,” the plan said.

“A modern composition of soft materials greet staff and visitors and enjoys its relationship with its setting.

Staff accommodation is also included in the planning application. Picture: WDA/Dorset Council

“In providing more beds, the applicant recognises the ned to increase staff numbers and wants also to take the opportunity to enhance staff convenience through the provision of flexible overnight accommodation.”

Access to the site would stay the same, with an increase in parking spaces, the plans added.

The scheme will now be considered by council planners. For more details, and to comment on the scheme, log on to dorsetcouncil.gov.uk and search for application reference P/FUL/2024/01024.