Risby Hall, in Hall Lane, near Bury St Edmunds, redevelopment and expansion plans approved by West Suffolk Council

A ‘dated and cramped’ care home at a Grade II-listed site will gain 31 more rooms after plans for its expansion were approved.

West Suffolk Council granted the proposals from Ian Turner, of The Partnership in Care, for the redevelopment of Risby Hall Nursing Home, in Hall Lane, near Bury St Edmunds, yesterday.

The plans were submitted in February 2023.

Under the application, the main home will be altered and extended, while other agricultural buildings will be converted to create new spaces.

There will also be changes to the site’s access and car parking arrangements, while roof solar panels will be installed.

Some demolition works will be necessary.

At present, the home comprises Risby Old Hall, an 18th century listed building, and Hall Farm Cottage, which is also listed.

The council’s landscaping team said the development would affect the character and visuals of the area, but supported the plans on the condition more trees and vegetation were introduced to enhance the appearance of the building.

The conservation officer said the plans were broadly acceptable.

Planners said the home was well established, having been open since 1984, and combined with Risby Park offers care to 88 residents.

They said the home’s facilities were dated, cramped and with a confusing layout, while adding it looked poor from the outside.

The applicants are seeking to make the home more up-to-date with latest developments in dementia care, planners said.

The new site is designed with dementia care at the forefront, with the entrance proposed featuring a central core of facilities, off which would be a café, shop, hairdressers and other amenities.

These would be connected by a ‘main street’ to laundry rooms, kitchens and offices and follow on to the accommodation.

It will have a semi-public community hub which could be used by resident groups or the surrounding community to foster the engagement of residents with wider community groups.

Risby Parish Council had no objections to the plans.

Planners said the small harm caused to a heritage asset under the plans was outweighed by the public benefit of an updated facility.

The proposals were approved subject to 21 conditions.