PLANS by Ordinary Living Ltd to extend a care business at The Kennels, Phillips Farm, Marine Drive, Widemouth Bay are unlikely to get planning approval according to pre-application advice.

The proposal is for four semi-detached supported living units to be part of an established business providing supported living services at the wider site. Ordinary Living supports adults of all ages with autism, learning disabilities, mental health conditions and injury-induced personality disorders. The business currently provides care and supported living for 29 people with 15 permanently resident on site.

But one of the concerns of the Affordable Housing Team is the rurality of the site which is considered to be too far away from public transport and local facilities which will restrict people’s ability to maximise their independence.

The advice said: “Although there is a clear need for housing with support, we feel further development in this location for this type of housing provision would be unsuitable.”

And the Care Quality Commission agree. The latest CQC inspection for Ordinary Living states: “The private lane led to a main road without pavements and it would be difficult for people to leave the service independently and walk to use local amenities.

“There were no other private houses in the vicinity and the feel was comparable to a campus style setting. A building was being developed for use as an activities hut. This increased the risk of the service becoming insular and further isolated from the local community.”