Committee Report – Wakefield Council“Having regard to the submitted Care Home Need Assessment, it is considered that sufficient evidence has been provided to demonstrate compliance with Policy LP45(2). The assessment identifies a significant existing and future need for elderly care accommodation within Wakefield, demonstrates that the proposed development is broadly consistent with the Council's adult social care commissioning priorities, and indicates that the scheme is unlikely to result in a detrimental impact upon publicly provided support services”
Wakefield Council has now approved proposals to knock down the fire-damaged Castle Grove Infants School site to allow the 76-bedroom facility to be constructed. The school complex, on Pinfold Lane, closed more than a decade ago after merging with nearby Sandal Endowed CE Junior School and the local authority last year announced plans to dispose of the 1.4 acre site as part of efforts to reduce its property portfolio.
A key element of consideration against Policy LP45(2) was the fact that ‘The development is required to meet the needs of Wakefield residents or existing Wakefield service users’. As a direct result, HPC were instructed to compile a Care Home Need Assessment – a supporting document that effectively illustrated how the development will play an important role in addressing a shortfall in modern care accommodation across the City.
With demonstrable need clearly illustrated, the planning officer considered sufficient evidence had been provided to demonstrate compliance with local planning policy and consent was granted on 6th October 2026.
