Plans to turn former Mansfield Woodhouse care home into specialist addiction centre set for approval

Mansfield councillors are set to consider plans to convert a former care home for the elderly into a specialist facility to treat people with addictions.
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The former Elizabeth House Care Home in Mansfield Woodhouse closed last year after it was rated inadequate following an inspection by the Care Quality Commission (CQC), which said staff failed to treat residents with ‘dignity and respect’.

Now the new owners of the building, located on Church Hill Avenue, have gone to Mansfield District Council to apply for change of use from a care home for the elderly to secondary care for people recovering from addiction.

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The former Elizabeth House care home in Mansfield Woodhouse.The former Elizabeth House care home in Mansfield Woodhouse.
The former Elizabeth House care home in Mansfield Woodhouse.
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Steps Together was established in 2017 with its first base in Sutton ‘in response to the county’s excessive demand for residential addiction treatment and recovery’, a report to the authority’s planning committee states.

The company, which only works with privately-paying clients, has supported around 80 families in the Mansfield area since it was formed.

“Some clients who secure excellent clinical and therapy treatment during the first phase of their treatment at the company’s primary treatment centre in Sutton need ongoing therapy and meaningful resettlement is essential to build on this foundation,” the report states.

Typical clients include privately-funded adults, business owners, the wealthy, sporting personalities and emergency services personnel, the report states.

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“Typically, the service will accommodate a maximum of 13 clients – although this is expected to be largely no more than 10 in any consistent period.

“At any one time, during the day, the project manager will be supported by two project workers or a visiting therapist and will operate a structured time table of activities at the facility and also off site over the course of seven days.”

Residents at the home will undergo structured therapy and work on key life skills, as well as undertake regular exercise at local gyms and sports clubs, if the plans are given the green light, the report states.

A total of 67 letters of objection have been received from residents, citing an increase in crime, bringing drug-users into the area, increased parking at a busy junction and the premises being close to a park and school.

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The application, which will be discussed on Tuesday, May 4, is recommended for approval with conditions.

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