Plans have been submitted to create a ‘bespoke care facility’ housing 89 beds with access to road and car parking in Lower Bartle.

The current use of the site is agricultural land, and is located East of Sandy Lane, Lower Bartle and South of The Preston Northern Bypass (M55) in an area allocated for housing-led development in the local plan. 

The proposal is for a two storey new build, formed in a ‘U shape’ located on the Northern end of the site, which will provide the accommodation required for the care home on ground and first floor. It would aim to provide a range of services including nursing care and specialist dementia care.

The care home is specified to a high standard, with all bedrooms being single occupancy and including a wetroom so that clients have a high standard of privacy and are more easily protected from infectious disease such as the ongoing Covid pandemic.

Read more: Urgent appeal for volunteers from Preston and the Fylde to keep wellbeing helpline running

The administrative and housekeeping facilities will be in the roof space on the northern wing of the building.

The social spaces will be located in throughout the building and are stacked on each floor plan. This is out of consideration for bedrooms privacy, both visually and acoustically. These spaces will act as the main lounges and communal areas of the building.

Other social/service spaces will include a salon, tea rooms, cinema rooms, library, dining areas.

As the care home is to be permanently staffed, 90 employees are expected, covering a wide range of expertise and skills, and the operation includes shift working.

Read more: Woman hit by bus closing busy Fulwood road

For areas accessible to the care home residents, it is predicted that a high proportion of the residents will have mobility problems or otherwise will be unable to actively utilise some of the external garden space.

In terms of landscaping and garden space, residents will be provided with seating areas incorporated into the design with an array of planting.

Vehicle access to the building will be taken from the existing access point off Sandy Lane, with a car parking area in the central courtyard. This will be accompanied by a 2m wide footpath for pedestrian access.

Read more: PLAU in Friargate closes doors ahead of relaunch with new management

On behalf of the applicant DOS Limited, agents NSJR Chartered Architects LLP, said: “There are a number of care homes within the Preston area that have been created from large houses and as a result offer accommodation of varying quality and scale.

“The proposal is to create a bespoke care facility that will offer the highest level of accommodation available locally, making use of a site in keeping with the North West Preston Masterplan.

“The construction of the proposal will require a significant number of full-time and part-time staff, and will therefore directly contribute to the local economy.”

To view the full proposals, you can visit the Preston City Council website.

See what’s happening near you by entering your postcode below or visit InYourArea

 Read more: See the latest Preston news and headlines