Plan for more sheltered homes

The care organisation Abbeyfield has applied for permission to build a new block of 25 specialist extra care and dementia care flats, close to its existing Abbeyfield House off Tadcaster Road.

The organisation has bought 27 St Helen’s Road, near its existing home on Regency Mews, and wants to demolish the existing building and replace it with new purpose-built accommodation. A design and access statement drawn up for the application says: “At present there is a shortage of suitable accommodation for the elderly across the city of York. With an ageing population both regionally and nationally, this will only exacerbate the current situation.  

“Abbeyfield Society currently operate one extra-care and one sheltered housing scheme in the city and have identified the potential to expand their current home at Regency Mews. The proposal is to provide 17 extra care and eight dementia-care flats in a new-build annexe within the grounds of Abbeyfield House.”

The document says they want to provide an “attractive, homely environment for residents with abundant mature gardens”, with communal spaces like dining rooms and lounges, but to do that they would need to demolish the existing building. Neighbours have already objected to Abbeyfield’s plan saying that with a smaller development rejected in 2006, they cannot understand why the larger scheme could be allowed.

If the Abbeyfield plans get the go ahead, the new flats will follow the 27 extra-care flats and two bungalows built in an extension to Glen Lodge, on Sixth Avenue. Plans are also being drawn up for new care homes at Burnholme and Lowfields, while the former council care home Oakhaven in Acomb is being redeveloped into 56 extra care apartments by care company Ashley House. Other developments are also on the way at Red Lodge in New Earswick and on the site of Oliver House in Bishophill, but a plan to demolish the Carlton Tavern on Acomb Road and replace it with a 79 bed care home has met with heavy opposition.