A NURSING home in Sherborne St John has been given permission to build an extension despite objections from neighbours.

The Grange Nursing Home in Vyne Road, Sherborne St John, got permission to build 12 more bedrooms in a development control committee by the Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council.

According to the plan, the new bedrooms will be positioned at the rear of the building that would project into the garden, effectively creating a T-shaped building.

The council’s planning officer had recommended approving the proposal.

Speaking for the neighbours, a man who introduced himself as Harry called it an incomplete application through ignorance of design and fundamental factual errors.

He said: “It was originally called Hill House for the simple reason that it sits on top of the highest hill in the village. In honour of its stunning location, the house was built with taste in the arts and crafts style.

“In sharp contrast, this extension will be brutal for Sherborne St John, the Hill House, and the environs of the Vine. We believe we do not deserve such ugliness. The proposal is a classic carbuncle.

“My second point is that the application is based on lies. I'm afraid, not dissembling, but straight out Porky pie lies.

“We all know the importance of environmental considerations. The application has sidestepped many of the potential hurdles that it would face simply by stating that there aren't any nearby watercourses, hedgerows, connections to them large bodies of water, and footpaths within further distances. The answer to all of those is yes. [But] The applicant categorically said no and they provided none of the further analysis that they should have done.”

“Our third point is that the planning officer is guided by the recommendation to approve that existed from the 80s on pretty much the same footprint of land. Yes, the current one takes up less footprint than an existing one. But it was certainly both a smaller and more thoughtful proposal. It is lower and less dominant on its neighbours and the miles and valley below. That's why it was approved over 30 years ago.

“To summarise this hilltop site overlooks a beautiful valley with lakes, wildlife, and swans, crisscrossed by recreational footpaths. It's an incomplete application through ignorance of design. There are fundamental factual errors. And the third point is existing approval was respectful and sensitively conceived. This is a blocky lump, looking like the worst kind of Travelodge.”

I cannot see that. I see we have an opportunity for a better building than the existing extant permission. In my view, we cannot we could refuse this one but they could still build the bigger one. So I mean looking at it to move it on. I'm quite happy to go with the officer's report and propose it for acceptance.

During the debate, cllr Chris Tomblin said: “We have an opportunity of a better building than the existing extant permission. In my view, we could refuse this one, but they could still build the bigger one. So, I'm quite happy to go with the officer's report and propose it for acceptance.”

Eleven cllrs voted in favour of granting the permission, while one cllr abstained from voting.

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