A new 73 bed care home could be built on the site of another care home that was demolished in 2022.
The Holme Wood Resource Centre on Fell Lane in Keighley had stood empty since 2013, attracting vandalism and anti social behaviour until it was pulled down.
Now a planning application has been submitted to Bradford Council by Harbourdale Capital to build a new three storey elderly care home on the site.
The application argues there is an “under provision” of care beds to meet the area’s “growing and ageing population.”
As well as the 73 bedrooms, the care home will include a lounge, bistro, café, cinema, activity, sensory and beauty space.
The development is expected to create 80 jobs in the town once the care home opens.
The application says: “(The existing care home) has not operated since 2013 and had attracted anti-social behaviour, fallen into disrepair and suffered extensive vandalism.
“There is currently an under-provision of care beds within the local area, and with a growing and ageing population this shortfall is expected in increase over time.”
It says just 13 per cent of care homes in the area have wetroom ensuites – 21 per cent below the national average.
The application adds: “This highlights a clear shortfall in modern, fit for purpose care provision.”
Referring to the benefits of developing a Brownfield site, the application says: “Re-using previously developed land is a requirement of national policy and reduces pressure to build on greenfield and Green Belt land.
“This is particularly pertinent in Bradford at the moment, where ongoing work to prepare a new Local Plan will require releases of new employment land from the Green Belt and delays in that process have resulted in pent up demand for new development in the Countryside.”
ON the current state of the site, the application says: “The site is run down, attracting anti-social behaviour and is a visible reminder of the failure of the previous care facility on this site.
“Since the applicant has acquired the site, they have made efforts to maintain and tidy up its appearance. However, the potential of this site cannot be achieved without a development proposal which puts the site into a positive and active use, on a permanent basis.
“Removing this currently run down and neglected site from the street scene will secure a major benefit in the wider area.”
The application’s design and access statement features numerous stock photos of elderly people with there faces covered by black squares.
A decision on the application is expected before the end of the year.
