Fresh new plans have been unveiled to demolish the former Priory Court Care Home in Burnham-On-Sea to create a modern new 70-bedroom facility in its place.
Owner Country Court Care has submitted formal plans to Somerset Council to replace the building in Burnham’s Oxford Street, which closed down in 2022.
Inside the proposed modern-style building, pictured above, there would be a cinema, communal café and salon plus the 70 bedrooms with en-suite facilities.
The company says that a new building is required to replace the current one “due to the historic nature of the current building, and the piecemeal evolution, the form, spaces and proportions are not conducive for a modern care home facility.”
It points to inadequate corridor widths, changes in level across floors, changeable high and low ceilings, a confusing layout and poor natural light.
Every one of the 70 new bedrooms would feature an en-suite bathroom, and be fitted to a high modern standard.
“There will be opportunities to access external space internally within the site but also to street elevation creating a more active frontage linked to the wider community.”
“Access to external spaces is also created on upper floors ensuring all residents have access to the outside. In addition the facility will have all the ancillary spaces required in a modern care home – nurse space, assisted bathrooms, sluice etc – together with communal activity spaces such as a cafe, salon and cinema.”
The new planning application can be seen online via planning reference number 11/23/00124 on Somerset Council’s website. Consultation is underway and feedback can be submitted until February 2nd, 2024.
