DEVELOPERS have been given the go-ahead to build 45 assisted living homes in a listed former NHS premises.

Quantum applied for planning permission to create six apartment and 33 new houses in the grounds of Lyngford House.

A further three apartments and communal facilities will be created in the main house and the coach house and stables will be refurbished and converted into three houses.

The modern conference centre and apartment block will be demolished and the Lyngford Lane site entrance will be closed and the Selworthy Road entrance will be relocated.

Residents and councillors from Taunton Deane Borough Council’s planning committee discussed the plans at a meeting on Wednesday (September 12) and praised the developers.

Dr Simon Norbury, a GP at Taunton Vale Healthcare, said: “The developer has recognised that is needed. Our health service is struggling to keep up with the demands of an ageing population..

“It is vital there is provision for people who need health care and support.

“Having access to all of this can make a home feel like a place you can feel safe in rather than just a prison.”

Councillor Marcia Hill echoed Dr Norbury’s comments and said she thinks the development is well designed and would be a good facility for people with care needs. 

But Cllr Ian Morrell expressed concerns about the project and said he has concerns about how the development could affect GP surgeries and health services in Taunton.

“We don’t have information in this report about the impact on health provision in Taunton Deane,” Cllr Morrell said.

He said he had no objections to the design of the project but urged councillors to defer voting on the issue so they could get more information.

Councillors voted to approve the plans with 11 voting for and one abstention.

Speaking after the meeting, a spokesman for Quantum, said: “We are pleased that the planning committee has given this development the go-ahead and we very much look forward to working on this assisted living scheme for people aged 55 and over.

“Over 40 local people have already shown their interest in potentially wanting to purchase one of the proposed 45 homes.”