Controversial plans to build 12 homes on the site of an NHS care home at Berrow have been re-submitted to planners this week, but health bosses say the immediate future of the centre is not threatened.
The NHS was originally granted permission to build on the site of the Little Court Nursing Home at Pinnockscroft two years ago but because that agreement is due to expire in February, it is now seeking to renew the application.
The original bid stoked up concerns that the centre would close and 28 elderly dementia patients were transferred to Bridgwater and Taunton. But since then the building has been used as a day centre for needy patients.
Inventures, a consultancy acting on behalf of Somerset Partnership NHS, has now been drafted in to get the planning permission renewed.
Paul Courtney, NHS Communications manager for Dorset and Somerset PCT, told Burnham-On-Sea.com: “The Trust can confirm that it is working with local GPs within Burnham with a view to exploring the opportunity of eventually relocating the Little Court Day Service to another location within the town. However, such plans are at a very preliminary stage and not imminent.”
He added: “Following formal public consultation in 2003, the Unit’s inpatient beds were transferred to Bridgwater and Taunton. The facility’s Day Services have remained and the facility still provides a base for the local Community Mental Health Team.”
“Somerset Partnership NHS and Social Care Trust can confirm that they have no plans to remove existing services from the Little Court elderly support facility.”
“A planning application for residential use on the Little Court site has be sent to Sedgemoor District Council for renewal. The purpose of this application is only to renew the application which is soon to expire.”
