The Development Management Committee of Rushmoor Council met on Thursday, 23rd April, 2026, to discuss planning applications. The committee resolved to grant planning permission for the redevelopment of Devereux House, No. 69 Albert Road, Farnborough, subject to a Section 106 agreement and amended conditions.

Devereux House, No. 69 Albert Road, Farnborough - Application No. 25/00688/FULPP

The committee granted planning permission for the demolition of the existing Devereux House, retaining its original façade, and the construction of a new part two/three-storey building to provide a 66-bedroom care home. This decision was made subject to the completion of a Section 106 legal agreement and a number of conditions.

The application had been deferred from a previous meeting to allow for a site visit. The proposal involved the demolition of the majority of the existing locally listed building, which had formerly been a war memorial hospital, and its replacement with a larger, modern care facility.

Arguments for the development included the identified need for specialist accommodation for older people in the borough, the bringing of a vacant site back into use, and the creation of new jobs. The development was also considered to make a moderate contribution to the borough's housing land supply. The applicant argued that the existing building was no longer fit for purpose and could not meet current care standards.

Arguments against the development, raised by local residents and detailed in the report, included concerns about the scale and design of the proposed building, its impact on the character of the local area, and potential harm to neighbouring residential amenity through loss of privacy, light, and outlook. There were also significant concerns raised regarding the demolition of a locally listed heritage asset, the impact on trees, drainage, and highway safety, particularly regarding parking.

The committee's decision to grant permission was subject to several key considerations and amendments:

• Heritage Impact: While acknowledging the demolition of a significant portion of the locally listed building would cause harm, the committee noted the retention of the façade and the proposed re-installation of the Roll of Honour memorial board as mitigating factors. The need for the development to meet current care standards was also a significant consideration.
• Residential Amenity: The committee amended the recommendation to include a revised condition requiring the use of obscure glazing for four bedroom windows on the first and second floors on the eastern elevation, at the northern end of the building, to mitigate overlooking.
• Biodiversity: An informative was added to ensure the continued absence of badgers is confirmed prior to development starting, and to outline the necessary steps if badgers are identified.
• Section 106 Agreement: The permission was made conditional on the completion of a Section 106 agreement to secure:
  • Restrictions on the mobility of residents, to be assessed by the care home operator, with records available for inspection.
  • A mechanism to secure payment for Strategic Alternative Natural Greenspace (SANG) and Strategic Access Management and Monitoring Measures (SAMM) mitigation in the event that any resident does not meet the mobility criteria. This was to address concerns regarding the impact on the Thames Basin Heaths Special Protection Area (SPA).
  • The agreed Travel Plan and associated financial contributions for approval, monitoring, and a cash deposit/bond.
• Conditions: A comprehensive list of conditions was attached to the permission, covering aspects such as commencement of development, compliance with approved plans, external materials, landscaping, construction management, protected species, drainage, contaminated land, and the placement of the Roll of Honour board.

The meeting also noted apologies from several councillors and included a vote of thanks for Councillor Jacqui Vosper, who was standing down at the forthcoming Borough elections.