A NEW 72-bedroom residential care home could soon be built near Wellington.

Freshly submitted plans by Care UK, who operate more than 150 care homes nationally, have been put before Somerset Council planners for consideration.

If approved, a care home specialising in residential and dementia care would be built in the south western corner of Rockwell Green.

The proposed site is a 5344 square metre plot off of Odette Avenue and Exeter Road and would form part of the Monument View estate.

It is planned to include shared facilities, including hairdressers, a cafe and even a cinema, with all the bedrooms having en suite bathrooms.

In a submission to Somerset Council, KWL Architects, who are responsible for the project's design, said: "The proposed development will provide much needed specialist accommodation designed to meet the needs of older people in Wellington. It represents a carefully considered scheme that makes efficient use of the site.

"The proposals are designed to a very high standard. The scheme incorporates appropriate provision for access, parking, landscaping and communal space. It has been established that there is a continued demand to accommodate vulnerable older people requiring nursing and dementia care in the local area as well as an emerging demand to provide a supportive environment where care is needed.

"Following careful analysis of the application site and surrounding area, a sensitive and holistic proposal has been designed. The proposed care home use would make a positive contribution to the locality. Developing the site to accommodate a high quality, well designed care home."

The care home is billed to create employment opportunities for local people - according to DLBP Ltd, these would amount to 76 full-time equivalent jobs, not including those created during the construction phase.

The application follows a public consultation with local people by operator Care UK last year, when the firm told locals they would work to minimise any potential disruption the new development might bring. Writing to residents a spokesperson for Care UK said:

"Contact will be maintained with your council representatives in the Wellington division, and any feedback or concerns raised throughout both the planning and potential future constructions phases of the project will be taken on board.

"A construction management plan will be conditioned as part of any planning application submitted to Somerset Council, and will detail how traffic, waste, dust, and noise will be managed during construction, to ensure minimal disruption to the community.

"Should planning permission be granted and Care UK decide to continue with the proposed development, updates on any road disruption and construction milestones will be fully communicated to those most likely to be affected."

A decision is expected to be made by February 22, 2024.