Residents can now find out more and have their say on proposals to build a brand new 60-bed Extra Care facility for Porth – with all feedback received in the consultation helping to inform Linc Cymru’s future planning application.

In December 2020, Cabinet Members agreed for a new Extra Care housing scheme to be built on the Dan y Mynydd Care Home site in Porth. The development is in line with the Council’s strategy to modernise residential care options for older people. No residents currently live in the care home, and public notices for the demolition of the building have recently been published.

Extra Care delivers modern accommodation with 24-hour support for older people’s assessed needs, allowing them to live as independently as possible. Alongside Linc Cymru (Linc), the Council is committed to delivering 300 Extra Care places across five new developments – including Maesyffynnon in Aberaman which opened last year and Cwrt yr Orsaf in Graig which is being constructed.

Linc has now begun a Pre Application Consultation process, hosted by planning agent LRM Planning, which will allow residents to have their say on the third Extra Care development, proposed for Porth. Any feedback is welcomed up until the process ends on Monday, August 30, and will be used by Linc to inform the submission of a formal planning application in the future.

The proposed development would include construction of 60 apartments, along with associated works, landscaping, sustainable drainage, access and parking. A draft version of the planning application, including a full set of drawings, can be viewed online, here.

Members of the public can submit their views via email, post, or a feedback form on the ‘Contact Us’ page of the website. Alternatively, those who are unable to access the online material can email [email protected] or call LRM Planning on 02920 349737 for support.

Councillor Geraint Hopkins, Rhondda Cynon Taf Council’s Cabinet Member with responsibility for Adult Services, said: “The Pre Application Consultation process provides an important opportunity for members of the public to view Linc’s proposals in detail, and send feedback directly to them at this stage of the process. An opportunity to formally comment on the proposals will follow later, when a planning application is submitted.

“The provision of a new Extra Care facility for Porth, on the current Dan y Mynydd Care Home site, was one of the amended proposals which Cabinet Members agreed in December 2020 – in relation to the Council’s wider plan to modernise residential care options for older people. Extra Care offers choice, independence and community interaction for residents, allowing them access to 24/7 care for their assessed needs along with a range of on-site facilities.

“The Maesyffynnon Extra Care facility in Aberaman has been very successful since it opened at the height of the pandemic in May 2020, while the Cwrt yr Orsaf development in Graig is nearing completion. It is also very exciting to see the proposals for Porth brought to life through artist’s impression images, which are now available to view as part of the current consultation.

“I’d urge members of the public to find out more and have their say on the Porth Extra Care proposals before August 30. The views received in this process will help Linc shape its planning submission, for consideration by the Planning and Development Committee in the future.”

Jo Yellen, Development Project Manager at Linc, added:“As specialists in the provision of Extra Care accommodation, we are pleased to be partnering with Rhondda Cynon Taf Council as they seek to deliver on their target to provide 300 extra care places in the county.

“Alongside Maesyffynnon Extra Care scheme which opened last year, and Cwrt yr Orsaf which is currently being constructed, our proposed plans for Porth see 60 more Extra Care spaces to meet the needs of residents in RCT.

“The Pre-application Consultation for the site of Dan y Mynydd Care Home provides the opportunity for local residents to view artist’s impressions of the development and contribute their feedback. We encourage residents in Porth to view our proposed plans for the site and submit their comments to us by Monday, August 30.”