MAJOR changes are on the way to a care village near Ampfield.

The care village, Ampfleid Meadows, which is located on land at the former North Hill Sawmill Yard, Baddesley Road, has received permission for the construction of 91 one- and two-bedroom care flats.

The Test Valley Borough Council Southern Area Planning Committee also giving permission for the construction of outdoor amenity space, landscaping, parking provision and associated work on Tuesday, November 27.

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The location plan of the proposed development (Image: Urban Edge)

This comes as the developers, Pegasus Group, on behalf of Inspired Villages, has filed another application with the borough council to build an additional 48 care units to the site.

This new development will consist of two two-storey apartment blocks, containing four apartments per floor each (a total of 16 flats) and 32 one-and-a-half storey cottages/bungalows.

The planning committee voted to approve the earlier 91 flat expansion after it was brought back before the committee due to new material considerations.

Addressing the committee, James Parkhurst, a representative for Inspired Villages, said: “We have worked with Test Valley to deliver a design that is acceptable. Since then, we have worked with the officers to allow the development to be implemented.”

Speaking on the new application, Pegasus Group said: “The nature of the use will be as per the approved care village, acting as an extension to it. All residents will have access to the on-site communal facilities and services provided in the existing care village and the new buildings will be well positioned in relation to the centrally located 'Village Centre' building.”

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A block plan of the proposed development (Image: Urban Edge) In the supporting statement, the company has included census data, which states that, between 2022 and 2032, Test Valley’s population aged 60 and over is projected to grow by 19 per cent.

It further notes the relative lack of housing as well as new targets set out by the government, which is looking to boost development.

Inspired Villages says it is an operator and developer of care villages providing specialist accommodation for older people across England.

On their website, they advertise Ampfield Meadow village as a "charming British village," with "adventure around every corner."

At the time of writing the statement, the company owned and managed nine operational and occupied care villages housing more than 1,200 residents and employing more than 400 members of staff.

For more information on the new application, visit the Test Valley Borough Council’s online planning portal and search using reference 24/02682/FULLS.