As part of their submission, applicants LNT Care Developments and Arqiva Limited had argued the care home would address a shortfall in care home places within the district.
This argument was supported by council planning officers, who concluded applicants’ evidence demonstrated ‘a clear and substantial unmet need’.
In a report setting out support for the proposals, a council planning spokesman said: “Having regard to the development plan as a whole and all other material considerations, it is considered that the proposal would deliver significant social and economic benefits.
“In particular, it would make effective use of a partly previously developed site within the settlement boundary of Bexhill, provide needed specialist accommodation for older persons in response to an identified and growing need as demonstrated by the documentation in this submission, contribute towards housing delivery, support the needs of an ageing population, create local employment opportunities, and provide wider benefits to the local economy.”
According to the report, the care facility, once built, would be expected to create about 58 new job posts, equivalent to approximately 44 full-time equivalent roles.
The report also highlights how the operator has an established recruitment, training and career progression programme.
A council planning spokesman said: “This [programme] includes supported induction, on-the-job training, specialist training, apprenticeships, mentoring, funded health and social care qualifications, management development and internal progression opportunities.
“The proposal would therefore provide opportunities for local residents to access employment, learn new skills and progress within the care sector.”
As part of the planning approval, the applicants and local authorities have signed a section 106 legal agreement.
Among other things, this legal agreement secures a £78,643 contribution towards the capital cost of delivering additional primary care floorspace. This contribution had been requested by NHS Surrey and Sussex, which said there is not currently sufficient existing primary healthcare capacity within the area to address demand generated by the development.
The applicants, through the legal agreement, have also committed to making a £34,320 bus service contribution and a £3,058 payment to cover the council’s costs in monitoring the development’s Biodiversity Net Gain contributions.
For further information on the proposals see application reference RR/2026/0059/FULL on the Rother District Council website.
