Plans approved for transformation of Woking office block into care home
A new facility in Woking will offer specialised care for those with dementia
A former office block in Woking is set for a transformation into a 76-bed care home after plans were approved by the local planning committee.
The development will see Lion House on Oriental Road replaced with a new facility aimed at supporting vulnerable individuals, including many living with dementia.
All rooms in the planned care home will be en-suite, and additional amenities such as lounge areas, an activity room, and outdoor dementia-friendly communal spaces are included in the design.
The deployment is seen as essential due to the rising number of elderly residents in Woking needing specialised care.
The applicant, Mr M Rodol, addressed the committee, highlighting the growing demand for dementia care.
In Woking, around 700 individuals over the age of 85 currently live with dementia, and this number is expected to rise to over 1,000 within the next decade.
The new care home will not only offer suitable facilities but also create approximately 75 full-time jobs in the area, employing chefs, gardeners, carers, and nurses.
The approval of these plans includes measures to preserve the nearby Grade I listed Shah Jahan Mosque’s setting and relieve the concerns regarding parking at the site.
Mr Rodol confirmed that no more than 30 staff would be on site at any time due to shift patterns.
The development is supported by the mosque, with Mr Rodol emphasising the building’s design for dignity and independence.
He expressed that the home aims to provide a warm, thoughtfully designed space where residents can maintain their identity and live as independently as possible.