Owners of a Shrewsbury nursing home have revealed they may withdraw plans for a massive extension for a third time after a wave of protest from the community.
A housing developer and a primary school have waded into the row over Maesbrook Nursing Home in Meole Brace, which has been brewing for 12 months.
Owners Geoff Slater and Paul Quinn have been trying to build a much-needed extension to the premises, in Church Road, to cater for their long waiting list.
They bought the home in August 2006 and have already withdrawn the planning application twice to address issues raised by objectors.
Their latest bid, for a two-storey extension to be built on the rear lawn providing 13 additional bedrooms and two recreational spaces, is currently with Shrewsbury and Atcham Borough Council.
But although no date has yet been set for the scheme to be heard by councillors, many complaints have already been registered.
Mr Slater told the Chronicle they were ‘a little upset’ by the response.
“We have tried to be fair and have written to everyone, consultation began 12 months ago and we even withdrew the application and re-designed it,” he said.
“The main concern is the traffic and the drainage, but we have said all along that the traffic flow will not be significantly different, it will not increase dramatically apart from the occasional visitor for the new residents.
“We have also given undertakings that we will make sure the drainage is upgraded. There is great demand for this development and we always have a waiting list for beds.”
Mr Slater said their architects were in discussions with the council over the comments received. “We might withdraw and resubmit the application,” he said. “We are seeing if we can defer it to deal with the issues.”
Councillor Mike Owen, for Meole Brace, said: “The development now proposed is massive, its domination over Church Road will be horrendous. Because of the elevation of the site, every sound is transmitted with absolute clarity.
“When it rains, residents’ drives are flooded and prolonged surface water has resulted in structural damage to some properties,” he added.
Mr Owen said one house had been flooded by sewage from the home caused by incontinence pads blocking the drain in its utility room.
Meanwhile, Shropshire Homes boss Howard Thorne has written to the council claiming the development will have a ‘significant detrimental effect’ on his development of two homes opposite the site due to loss of privacy.
He also said that removing the boundary hedge would result in the loss of a wildlife habitat.
Meole Brace Junior School’s chief concern is the increase in traffic. Alan James, chairman of governors, said: “The allowing of this application will in our opinion make an already dangerous and unsatisfactory situation become considerably worse.”