Muller Property Group has announced that outline planning permission has been granted on appeal for a new 80-bedroom care home in Sandy, Bedfordshire.

The appeal followed Central Bedfordshire Council’s previous decision to refuse permission in June 2024.

The Planning Inspectorate has now overturned that decision, giving the green light to the much-needed care home development, which will be situated on a sustainably-located site within the town of Sandy.

The approved plans involve the demolition of existing buildings on the site and the construction of a purpose-built, 2.5-storey 80-bedroom care home (Use Class C2), with a sub-station, access, car parking, servicing, and other associated works.

Sandy, a vibrant town in Central Bedfordshire, benefits from strong transport links, situated just eight miles east of Bedford, 18 miles south west of Cambridge, and 43 miles north of central London.

Designed to provide a comfortable and homely environment, the care home will offer a wide range of facilities to promote residents’ wellbeing and quality of life.

Key features will include:

• Lounge and dining day spaces
• Café bistro for residents and visitors
• A hair and nail salon
• Ancillary services and staff offices on each floor
• Secure landscaped gardens
• Spacious ensuite bedrooms
• Purpose-designed servicing and car parking

Access to the development will be from the east of the site via the existing entrance point in London Road, minimising disruption to local traffic.

The appeal Inspector noted that there is a significant need for additional care home bed spaces in the area.

And Muller’s Care Home Needs Assessment identified a shortfall of 146 care home beds by 2030.

The 80 beds proposed as part of the scheme would represent a substantial contribution toward addressing this shortfall.

This was considered a further public benefit in support of the development.

Julie Doherty, managing director of Care at Muller Property Group, said: “We are delighted with the outcome of this appeal and that the inspector recognised the strong case for care need at this location.

“With a clear and growing demand for elderly care, this approval supports our wider mission to deliver high-quality, planning-approved care home sites in locations where the need is most pressing.”

The care home will deliver significant local benefits, including job creation during construction and operation, as well as long-term social infrastructure to support the needs of an ageing population.