PREFERRED Homes limited (PHL) is seeking pre-application advice for a four-storey extra care building, which would include 74 apartments, on the site of two former Cornwall Council car parks.

If approved, the disused car parks and a former caretaker’s bungalow would be demolished on Dolcoath Avenue, Camborne, to make way for the development, which would be adjacent to the former Dolcoath council offices, which have been approved for redevelopment as a 66-bed care home.

A planning statement says: “The proposal has been designed to create a sense of community for the new residents. On entering the site via the new access, you will instantly see the main entrance to the extra care building.

“The design of the development comprises a single T-shaped four-storey building which will provide all residents with internal access to shared communal facilities comprising a café, lounge, multi-purpose spaces, laundry, meeting room and accommodation for staff. The building would be approached via a new car park accessed from Dolcoath Avenue.”

PHL create affordable “homes for life” for elderly and vulnerable residents who are able to live independently but have intermediate care needs. They say the apartments will be affordable. Rent will be no more than 80 per cent of the open market rent and service charge for a similar open market product.

The proposal has 35 car parking spaces including three fully accessible spaces adjacent to the main entrance, there is provision for all spaces to have EV charging. The private gardens would be designed to create secure areas that can be enjoyed by residents without the risk of access by unauthorised intruders.

For more details see PA25/00891/PREAPP on the council’s planning portal. https://planning.cornwall.gov.uk/online-applications/applicationDetails.do?keyVal=T1RIIZFG22Z00&activeTab=summary