New Essex care home confirmed amid green belt concerns

Plans for a 66 bed care home on Chapelfield Nursery garden centre in Sewardstone Road, Waltham Abbey approved

Chapelfield Nursery Garden Centre
Author: Martha Tipper and Piers MeylerPublished 5th Sep 2024

Planning permission for a care home on Chapelfield Nursery garden centre in Sewardstone Road, Waltham Abbey comes amid concerns of development on the green belt.

Plans for a 66 bed care home on land occupied by a garden centre have been agreed  – paving the way for the creation of up to 60 jobs.

Epping Forest District Council has said the garden centre is currently winding down and will cease operations in the near future, with no prospect of continued operations.

Planning officers have said the new proposal better reflects the operational requirements of the operator and the principle is therefore considered acceptable in terms of need green belt, parking and highway safety.

Jo Kemp, from LNT Care Developments Ltd told a planning committee of Epping Forest District Council on Wednesday: “The development would generate significant employment with 50 to 60 jobs being created in total for local candidates.

“It would also provide a multi-million pound investment in the area as well as business opportunities for local contractors and suppliers.”

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