Care home appeal rejected

A former police station will not be turned into a 66-bed care home after the Planning Inspectorate dismissed an appeal.

LNT Care Developments wanted to demolish the former Bingham Police Station and replace it with a 66-bed care home and 18-space carpark.

The station, on Grantham Road, closed in 2011 as part of a Nottinghamshire Police cost-cutting exercise and was, until recently, used by the National Police Aid Convoys charity.

Rushcliffe Borough Council refused permission for the development because it was overbearing and not in keeping with its surroundings.

LNT Care Developments appealed, but the Planning Inspectorate upheld the refusal because of the impact the development would have on people living nearby, highways and pedestrian safety, transport choice and accessibility, and the character and appearance of the area.

The planning inspector acknowledged the benefits regeneration of the site and creation of 40 to 50 jobs would bring.

“However, I do not consider that such benefits should necessarily be achieved at the expense of the living conditions or safety of local residents,” said the inspector.