A BRAIN injury rehabilitation service is proposed for the site of a former Ellesmere Port pub.

The redevelopment of the Whitby Road site, where The Knot pub used to stand until its demolition in August 2015, would see the construction of two buildings. The first would include 12 supported living apartments with ancillary communal and staff facilities, plus an independent commercial space on the ground floor, while the second building would be a 16-bed care home.

An artists impression of what the brain injury rehabilitation service site would look like. Source: Planning document.

An artist's impression of what the brain injury rehabilitation service site would look like. Source: Planning document.

Planning documents submitted to Cheshire West and Chester Council say the proposed facility would provide a rehabilitation support pathway for people living with acquired brain injuries.

The commercial space proposed in the plans would provide office space for applicants Voyage Care.

Car parking would also be part of the redevelopment.

Documentation also explains the current site "has become overgrown and unattractive in appearance, resulting in a negative impact on the character and quality of the surrounding high street."

The current state of the site on Whitby Road, Ellesmere Port, where The Knot pub used to stand. Picture: Google.

The current state of the site on Whitby Road, Ellesmere Port, where The Knot pub used to stand. Picture: Google.

Explaining the purpose of the new service, the documents add: "Brain injury rehabilitation services do not provide permanent homes for residents but offer stepping stones to independence.

"Depending on their recovery and care requirements, residents typically remain in this type of service for two to three years.

"As independence increases and care and support needs decrease, residents move closer to community-based rehabilitation and eventually back home."

Each of the apartments are self-contained and would provide independent living, designed to meet the special needs of the residents, with an open-plan kitchen, living and dining room, bedroom and bathroom.

A third of the apartments would be designed to accommodate wheelchair users.

There would also be a communal lounge which could be accessed by all the residents.

The residential care building would be suited for people discharged from hospital who may initially require more intensive, round-the-clock care. Within this building there would also be four transitional flats to allow residents to adapt to a more independent setting in a safe environment.

Voyage Care currently provides specialist support for over 3,500 people with learning disabilities and complex needs in a variety of settings.

Comments on the application can be submitted to Cheshire West and Chester Council through its website, via application reference 21/02530/FUL.

  • Further local planning applications can be viewed at The Standard's online Public Notices portal or in the Public Notices section of The Standard each Thursday.