WINCHESTER civic chiefs have approved plans for a large care home in Twyford despite parish councillors’ objections over increased traffic.

City councillors approved the 131-bed care home, at Humphrey Farm in Hazeley Road, to be built alongside a children’s nursery, offices, storage facilities and an ancillary food distribution centre.

The care home will be 13.3m at its highest point, with room for 165 parking spaces across the site, which will replace the existing mill.

But Colden Common and Twyford ward councillor, Daryl Henry, said she was worried about the impact such a large-scale building would have on the village.

“The proposed development should meet local needs,” she said. “Does this conform with policy? No.

“Officers have already admitted this morning that the increased use is not the same as the outline application. It will cause increased traffic in an infrastructure that already struggles to cope.

“This application has been altered and as members we all know the implications of approving altered schemes.”

The original outline application was approved in 2010 which Twyford Parish Councillor Chris Corcoran said was not the same application before them.

“This is not the scheme you approved,” he said. “The design is hideous. Surely the national park deserves this extra care. Once this is put up people will ask ‘how on earth was this monster allowed?’ Permanent harm will be caused to the national park and to its landscape.”

Councillors also cited issue with the design, despite officers having already gone back to the applicant, Jonathan Humphrey, asking for sections to be amended.

Cllr Barry Lipscomb said: “I still feel that the design is angular. To me it’s not a country design. I know it’s a functional building but I would expect to see this at an urban site.”

Officer David Rothery said: “It’s modern, it’s contemporary. We have gone out to various negotiations and requested various changes to basically conclude that this is an acceptable design and height for this location.

“I understand what Cllr Lipscomb is saying, however it is different but we’re comfortable that this is a well ordered design. It’s not as angular as it appears.”

Chairman Laurence Ruffell added: “This building is a lot prettier than what it’s replaced.”

Mr Humphrey said: “It’s clear that the council has already spent time and energy into making this scheme a success.”

Cllr David McLean added: “We have a rising elderly population that needs to be catered for. This application will do that. We have a need for more jobs – this application will do that.”