Fire risk leads to design changes at 80-bed care home
Developers say they want to improve access for emergency services
Fire concerns have prompted developers to make design changes at an 80-bed care home in Melksham, which is currently under construction.
Developer Aspire has contacted Wiltshire Council asking to make a number of changes to conditions placed on it when permission was granted for the state-of-the-art care home in August 2024.
The developer wants to make the changes to make it easier for emergency and service vehicles to manoeuvre around the site, and to provide an extra car parking space, bringing the total number to 28.
Aspire also wants to move an EV charging point in the car park.
The council wanted it in an accessible bay, but the developer says “following detailed design development and advice from the project’s energy and fire consultants, the preferred and safest location for rapid EV charging infrastructure is within the parking bays furthest from the building and substation.
“This is necessary to address operational safety, power supply constraints, fire risk considerations and cable routing requirements.
“As a result, it is no longer feasible or appropriate to install a rapid-charging point in an accessible parking space without compromising the functionality and safety of those bays.”
The care home, which will be run by The Orders of St John Care Trust (OSJCT), is set to open its doors in January 2027.
Last month, OSJCT released pictures showing how construction of the care home, at Longleaze Lane in Melksham, was progressing.
Designed to deliver dementia and nursing care, the new home will offer 80 luxury ensuite bedrooms, three couple suites, and a wide range of premium facilities to support residents’ comfort, wellbeing, and independence.
Facilities include private dining areas for family celebrations, a cinema room, gym, activities room, Sonos sound system throughout, hair salon and wellness spa.
The home will also feature a dedicated family suite, providing overnight accommodation for relatives who need to stay close without the added stress of travel and hotel arrangements.
OSJCT says the new facility will will help address the growing demand for specialist dementia care and intermediate care services in Wiltshire, while also providing opportunities for day care for older people and short-term respite stays.
Louise Axtell, director at OSJCT, said: “It is exciting to see our new home coming to life, and I am looking forward to welcoming the local community to our open day. A brand-new care home in the area will bring much needed dementia and nursing beds to Wiltshire.
“Our home benefits from a number of enhanced features to aid our person-centred care, and we look forward to welcoming our first residents and their loved ones in January.”