A BURNHAM care home has submitted plans to expand by developing 11 new apartments “designed for independent living for the elderly”.

Beaufort Park Ltd. intends to develop the apartments within its existing care home grounds in Rectory Road. 

The care home is owned and operated by Agincare, which announced its acquisition of the site in December.

The planning application says: “The apartments will form part of an integrated campus with full managerial and caring support.

“Beaufort Park is owned and managed by Agincare Ltd which is a highly experienced provider within the care sector, employing over 3,500 personnel across 78 locations nationwide, including strategic parterships with the NHS and local authorities. 

“The company is committed to ensuring that Beaufort Park offers high quality residential accommodation for the elderly, reflecting the increasing regional and national demand.”

The proposed new building is two storeys in height along its eastern boundary and single storey on its southern boundary.

There would be seven apartments on the ground floor and four at first floor level. 

The application says: “Each apartment is self-contained comprising a generous double bedroom, living and dining room, kitchen and walk-in shower room. Separate storage areas are also provided.

“All habitable rooms are provided with windows giving natural light and ventilation including views out towards the central landscaped garden giving an important visual connection to the outside.”

Beaufort House was previously a girls' school, known as Gardenhurst School, which was located there in 1903.

This later changed to St Dunstan's School from 1967-1982, before becoming a care home run by the RABI charity for farmers.

In a supporting statement, Agincare said: “As with many places across the country, Somerset and Burnham specifically has seen care homes being closed in recent months, leaving reduced capacity in the market.

“This is placing a strain on other schemes and services that support older people.

“Retirement flats that include sheltered or extra care elements are in demand, linked with national and local strategy around keeping older people independent in their own homes for as long as possible but also releasing larger, family homes back into the market to meet other housing needs.”

You can see the proposals in full on the Sedgemoor District Council planning portal (application number 11/23/00023). 

The authority - and the new Somerset Council unitary authority replacing it - is accepting comments on the proposals until April 18.