A CARE home with 68 beds could open on the edge of Taunton.

A planning application has been submitted to Somerset West and Taunton Council for the project on a housing development being built at Comeytrowe.

Mercian Developments is applying for permission to build the home, which would also include staff facilities, access, landscaping, parking and associated works at the site on the Orchard Grove urban extension.

The end user of the facility would be Amica Care, which has an independent living site at Gatchell Oaks, Trull, as well as five nursing and social care homes at other locations as well as the freehold to 183 independent living apartments and cottages at other locations.

The proposed home at Orchard Grove would offer specialist dementia care, residential care, respite care and "an environment that will fully meet a modern, dynamic care environment".

It would feature en suite bedrooms and communal and community spaces, including a cafe, a multi-purpose room with a hairdresser's. lounges, dining areas and quiet rooms.

A statement with the planning application says: "It is intended that the proposal will provide a much needed care facility within the local area for those with nursing and dementia care needs.

"At the same time, the care home will also provide full time employment opportunities for local people.

"The existing site is currently unoccupied. The proposed care home site is located within the permitted employment zone that forms part of the new Orchard Grove urban extension to the south west of Taunton."

Orchard Grove is a new garden communitybeing developed by Taylor Wimpey and Vistry in partnership with Somerset West and Taunton Council.

The statement adds: "The care home site is located within the employment zone of the Taunton’s Orchard Grove masterplan.

"This is a new garden community that incorporates two neighbourhoods through connected green spaces and new developments

"It aims to be unique yet reflective to the local character of Taunton.

"Outline planning permission was granted for a residential and mixed use urban extension for up to 2,000 dwellings, 5.25 hectares of employment land, 2.2 hectares of land for a primary school, a mixed use local centre and 300-space park and bus facility.

"The proposed care home for older people will provide 68 beds laid out in flexible wings, specially designed to deliver the highest standards of living and communal spaces for residents over

two storeys."