A HEALTHCARE company has launched a community consultation as it prepares to submit a fresh planning application to develop a former Ilkley care home.

Barchester Healthcare Ltd acquired Hollycroft Care Home at 16 Hebers Ghyll Drive, Ilkley in 2021 and submitted a planning application to demolish it and construct a new build care home together with car parking, landscaping and amenity space provision.

However, the local planning authority refused the application (21/02958/MAF) and a subsequent appeal was also rejected (22/00137/APPFL2).

Hollycroft was home to 15 elderly people when it closed in June 2017 and has been vacant ever since.

Now Barchester Healthcare is bringing forward proposals to rejuvenate and reopen Hollycroft Care Home. The new facility would have 20 purpose-built bedrooms, with round-the-clock care, along with communal areas, a treatment room, landscaped grounds, and parking for cars and cycles.

The development would likely create more than 15 new jobs within the care home (both part-time and full-time positions), and additional jobs during the construction phase.

A spokesperson for Barchester said: "Our proposal is to retain the historic core of the property, to demolish the more recent and unsympathetic extensions, and to replace them with high quality new additions that will offer purpose-built care accommodation.

"This scheme follows an earlier application to demolish the existing buildings on the site which was refused on heritage grounds only.

"Since then, our project team has worked in consultation with the local authority to design a revised scheme that respects heritage interests while delivering a scheme that can secure the long-term future of the site as a care home.

"As has been reported widely, there is a significant demand nationally for housing that meets the needs of older people, and Ilkley is no exception. It is our view that a care home at this site will complement the mix of uses in the area, and address local community needs by offering services to the elderly population.

"We are hosting a community consultation where residents and other important local stakeholders can register their views. This will include a drop-in event taking place at Ilkley Lawn Tennis Club, Stourton Rd, Ilkley LS29 9BG on Monday 29th January 2024 between 4-7pm, where you can meet the project team face to face.

"We are also displaying our consultation materials on our project website –ilkley.your-feedback.co.uk – where you can also leave feedback."

Residents are invited to submit feedback by Sunday, February 11th, 2024. Email: barchester@your-feedback.co.uk or leave a message for the project team on 0800 099 6712 and they will call you back or write to: Freepost, Fairthorn Consultancy. No stamp is required.