A day centre previously run by Age UK will be demolished to make way for the scheme at Cardamom Court, reports Nick Clark, Local Democracy Reporter

The new design for Cardamom Court (top, credit PRP) and (below) as it looks today (credit Google)

A Manor Park care home has won planning approval to demolish a day centre for new apartments.

Newham councillors approved plans for the four-storey extension at Cardamom Court in Grantham Road.

Nick Hodgskin of care home provider Anchor said the extension would “provide stability, security and care for local older people”.

Cardamom Court currently has 36 care apartments. Its day centre was previously run by Age UK, who left due to lack of funding.

More recently the council has used it as a day centre for young people with disabilities, on a short term contract.

Anchor said that the short-term contract meant the centre could be vacant for long periods of time.

It said it would like to replace this with a block of 34 care apartments all for social rent.

Hodskin told councillors the new apartments would help meet demand for care home spaces. He said Anchor had a waiting list of 280 people in Newham alone.

He said: “There is an ongoing and increasing need for specialist extra care homes that this scheme will directly address.”

Council planning officers recommended that councillors approve the plans “given the need for specialist housing which will be 100% affordable”.

Councillors voted to approve the plans at a local development committee on Monday (24th).

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