A planning application has been submitted to knock down an adult day service facility and build a new one.  

Hertfordshire County Council (HCC) has deemed The Northwick Day Centre in Northwick Road, South Oxhey, as unsuitable for current and future requirements.

The service, also known as the South Oxhey Day Service Centre, is for adults with physical and learning disabilities, mental health problems and age-related conditions.

Watford Observer: The service caters for adults with physical and learning disabilities, mental health problems and age-related conditions.The service caters for adults with physical and learning disabilities, mental health problems and age-related conditions. (Image: LSI Architects)

However, according to HCC the facilities are dated and the building needs extensive repairs.

A spokesperson for HCC said the new service has been designed to help “support people to live independently and stay connected within their own communities”.

If approved, the new service will be built on the site of the former Sir James Altham School site and former Homeoaks Group Home in South Oxhey.

The planning application states that HCC wants the new facility to have 23 parking spaces for employees and visitors, four minibus spaces, 12 cycle parking spaces, three accessible parking spaces, and a drop off area comprising of two spaces.

Due to not all 24 staff members being on site at the same time and most service users arriving by minibus, the number of parking spaces has been deemed adequate.

Watford Observer: The proposed ground floor.The proposed ground floor. (Image: LSI Architects)

Vehicle access to the site will be via the site of the former Homeoaks Group Home off Lytham Avenue.

If approved, the internal area of the building will be 731.43 m2.

It could include a secure entrance area with a reception, activity rooms, a treatment room, rehabilitation kitchen, full catering kitchen, a dining room and main hall.

In addition, rooms for laundry, medication, admin and storage, staff and meetings are included in the proposal, as well as toilets and other ancillary spaces.

The outside has been designed to include outdoor seating under an external canopy.

Users of the new facilities could benefit from tree and shrub planting that has been designed to create a sense of wellbeing.

Watford Observer: Plan of the gardens.Plan of the gardens. (Image: LSI Architects)

It is proposed that garden areas will also include a kitchen garden and a small water feature.

HCC believes that the proposed facility could be an important “asset” to the local community as outside its normal operating hours the parking could be used for the Oxhey Jets Football Club on match days, subject to conditions.