Fresh attempt to build 'dementia village' in Plat Douet Road

Thursday 20 April 2023

Plans for a major development in Plat Douet Road have been resubmitted, which includes a lower residential block, a larger children’s play area, a new curved corner and rooftop allotments.

Dandara’s plans to demolish Samuel Le Riche House and other nearby buildings and replace them with two blocks of flats and a linked three-block ‘dementia care village’ were rejected in December.

The Planning Committee – going against the recommendation of the Planning Department - supported plans for the care home but said that the residential units were too small and the block nearest the road was too high.

The developer, who is working alongside LV Care Group, which intends to run the dementia care village, has now returned to Planning with new designs, which it hopes resolves the issues raised by the group of politicians.

It has lowered the apartment block nearest Plat Douet Road from five storeys to four, and curved its southwest corner to better match existing buildings.

Pictured: The development site is to the east of Plat Douet Road.

Addressing the Committee’s criticism that there was not enough amenities, the revised plans have increased their area, including 237 m2 of rooftop gardens, almost 200 m2 of rooftop allotments, a children’s activity trail and a shared rooftop space.

In total, the development will have 61 homes, which Dandara says exceeds the minimum density standards published by the Environment Minister last October. This is five fewer than the original proposal.

These are 17 one-bedroom, 42 two-bedroom, and two three-bedroom flats.

The dementia care village will consist of ten ‘independent living’ units comprising 70 beds, a 57-bed nursing home, six one-bedroom and two two-bedroom units of staff accommodation.

There will also be a landscaped courtyard and a central ‘street’ of amenities including retail units and a restaurant.