CORNWALL Council representatives were at a meeting in Launceston last week to discuss the local authority’s proposals for six to eight units for adults with social care needs on land near to the hospital.

Cornwall Council looked into purchasing the land at Scarne Cross, just off the Link Road by Kernow House, after it came to light last autumn that NHS Property Services had put it up for auction, at the time listed as having ‘possible residential development potential, subject to obtaining all necessary consents’.

This caused outcry, as some locals say a covenant applies to the land, that they say should mean no residential development should take place there, and restricting development to medical services.

Cornwall Council halted the auction by registering as an interested buyer.

The local authority has since sought pre-application advice on providing adult social care accommodation on that land.

Vicki Allan, adult transformation and social care commissioning for Cornwall Council, updated last week’s Launceston Community Network Panel meeting on the site.

Ms Allan said: “I’m aware there’s some concerns the land in question has some covenance on it and concerns around the expansion of the current medical centre.

“Our legal department have looked at the land and haven’t found anything that substantiates that.

“If we continue with our proposal, all planning process will be followed robustly.

“In terms of options, we would like to develop a supported living scheme for six to eight units… we have got a significant need in Launceston.

“We do need more quality accommodation that provides a front door for people but also provides care and support. We want to prevent people going into residential care and promote people’s independence.

“If adult social care with Cornwall Council don’t secure the site there is the possibility it could go back out to auction and there would be the potential for anyone to purchase and develop as they see fit.”

Joan Heaton, who is chairman of the medical centre’s Patient Participation Group (PPG), put forward her own ‘counter-proposal’: “I’ve done a lot of research because of the expansion, we know there are massive problems with the parking there.”

She proposed Cornwall Council builds accommodation on the other side of the road ‘where new developments are’, in a ‘more residential area’.

Mrs Heaton added: “Our proposal was that [the land] would be far more useful to the whole community to have parking there for medical personnel.

“I understand where you’re coming from and the restrictions on you politically, financially — personally I don’t care about that, I care about the medical centre, people using it and I know the problems there. 18,500 patients use that and rising.

“We have got a problem waiting to happen. It’s frustrating and looking at the long term I’m asking you to think about it. I’m looking to Cornwall Council to make it in their gift to the people of Launceston.”

Michael Davey told the meeting he was there on behalf of Gillbard Homes and Trust, and said: “They gifted the land a few years ago and wanted to make it clear if it were to go as a car park they would be happy to fund it from the funds they have saved up.”

Ms Allan said the council is not able to purchase the land and provide parking for health staff.

Mrs Heaton had told the meeting the land is a ‘foul water soakaway’, and Launceston town councillor John Harris said: “I live quite close to Scarne Cross and have nothing against [Cornwall Council’s] proposal per se. I’m just worried about the actual area. More often than not it’s absolutely flooded. With anymore building around there I think you would need to upgrade everything.”

Ms Allan replied: “You are absolutely right, we need to do preliminary work to see if it’s viable. This isn’t a done deal yet.”

Ms Allan said there hasn’t been any public consultation because the council hasn’t yet purchased the land.

Mayor Cllr Margaret Young said: “I think it’s great to hear there’s a scheme for young people that need some guidance and sheltered accommodation. If that site doesn’t come to fruition, please don’t give up on us — there are enough young people in this town that need that support.”

Ms Allan said: “We do know we need more supported accommodation and we will continue to try and source.”

Her colleague, Nicky Mannell, from housing management support services, said: “There are actually 25 people identified in Launceston needing that kind of accommodation.”

They were questioned on if the use of such accommodation could change in future.

Ms Mannell said: “The planning application will be initially for supported living and where there is a need for that, that’s what it will be used for. In the future the design of that building will allow some flexibility for allowing different needs.”

Ms Allan added: “I think it’s about being flexible to local need when or if it does change.”

Cornwall Council chief executive Kate Kennally said as the council develops any plans, there will be community involvement, which will also include the design of what she said the council ‘hopes will be a high quality and valuable development in Launceston’.