Go-ahead for dementia home

A £5MILLION care home in Wraxall for elderly dementia sufferers has finally been given the go-ahead more than two years after architects began drawing up plans for it.Shaw Healthcare lodged a planning application with North Somerset Council to build the residential complex in Lodge Road, Elm Farm, in 2004.But a year ago, councillors rejected detailed plans for the 80-bed home, and the company announced its intention to appeal against their decision.But since then, representatives of the care provider have had meetings with officers and members, and as a result, the plans have been amended and approved, and Shaw Healthcare has withdrawn its appeal.Building work is expected to start in February, and it is anticipated that the care home will open in the summer of 2008.A spokesman for Shaw Healthcare said: "There were concerns about the scale of the development, insufficient car parking, and access to the home."We looked at these issues with officers and members. Now the footprint of the home is 15 per cent smaller and there is 25 per cent more car parking."In addition, the access to the care home has been moved six metres away from the entrance to The Oaks, a cul-de-sac opposite the development."The care home will cater for people aged 65 and above with dementia who will be accommodated in groups of 10 in eight independent wings on three floors.Each resident will have a bedroom with an ensuite bathroom and each unit will feature communal rooms, such as a lounge and dining area.The development will also include a day centre which North Somerset Council will refer elderly people to for respite care and rehabilitation.Up to 100 full and part-time nursing, care, domestic, catering and administration staff will be recruited to run the care home which will feature accommodation for five key workers.