Fire risk leads to design changes at 80-bed care home

By Local Democracy Reporter Peter Davison

Fire concerns have prompted developers to make design changes at an 80-bed care home in Melksham, which is currently under construction.

Developer Aspire has contacted Wiltshire Council asking to make a number of changes to conditions placed on it when permission was granted for the state-of-the-art care home in August 2024.

The developer wants to make the changes to make it easier for emergency and service vehicles to manoeuvre around the site and to provide an extra car parking space, bringing the total number to 28.

Aspire also wants to move an EV charging point in the car park.

The council wanted it in an accessible bay, but the developer says “following detailed design development and advice from the project’s energy and fire consultants, the preferred and safest location for rapid EV charging infrastructure is within the parking bays furthest from the building and substation.

“This is necessary to address operational safety, power supply constraints, fire risk considerations and cable routing requirements.

“As a result, it is no longer feasible or appropriate to install a rapid-charging point in an accessible parking space without compromising the functionality and safety of those bays.”

The care home, which will be run by The Orders of St John Care Trust (OSJCT), is set to open its doors in January 2027.

Last month, OSJCT released pictures showing how construction of the care home, at Longleaze Lane in Melksham, was progressing.

Designed to deliver dementia and nursing care, the new home will offer 80 luxury ensuite bedrooms, three couple suites, and a wide range of premium facilities to support residents’ comfort, wellbeing, and independence.

Facilities include private dining areas for family celebrations, a cinema room, gym, activities room, Sonos sound system throughout, hair salon and wellness spa.