Detailed plans for a continuing care community at Hencote estate have been approved. Image, Pozzoni Architecture

Plans for a new care community on the outskirts of Shrewsbury have been approved by planners.

The scheme forms part of the Hencote estate, which includes a vineyard and winery, a restaurant, and holiday accommodation.

It was brought forward by Senesecura, a company set up by Hencote vineyard founder, Andy Stevens, to promote and develop care services and age-appropriate accommodation for the elderly.

The proposal, designed by Pozzoni Architecture, is for 164 units of extra and close care accommodation with graduated care provided in the form of lodges and apartments, along with a 75-bed nursing home and dementia unit.

An amenities building providing supporting care facilities, treatment/therapy rooms, fitness pool, a restaurant, a small shop, and site management facilities is also proposed.

The initial plans for outline permission were earlier  rejected by Shropshire Council, before being allowed on appeal.

Shropshire Council’s Northern Planning Committee discussed the reserved matters application at a meeting last month, where residents said they were ‘dismayed’ by the plans.

And Shrewsbury Town Council again objected, stating that the proposal is situated in the rural fringe off the development boundary and as such, while large in scale, needs to harmonise with its rural setting.

The meeting ended with 10 councillors voting in favour of approval and one abstaining amid concerns over possible flooding at the site.