A NEW care home for people with dementia could be built in Verwood if plans are given the go-ahead by Dorset Council.

A group of buildings in Edmondsham Road would be demolished and replaced with a 37-bed care home up to four storeys in height.

According to the planning application submitted by Fayrewood Property, the council is projecting an increase of 7,180 people with dementia over the 2013-33 period. Nearly 3,000 bed spaces for older people could be required over this period, of which 460 will be located within east Dorset, the application states.

Pure Town Planning, which has prepared a design and access statement on behalf of the developer, said there was only one other care home in Verwood that caters for dementia patients.

The Edmondsham Road site is within 400 metres of protected heathland, however council policy states care homes for people with dementia are “unlikely to have any impact on the adjacent protected heaths”.

“The proposed care home will give an opportunity to accommodate individual’s local need to maintain relationship with the geographic area and community links including social and family support networks,” Pure Town Planning said.

“The use of the site will be appropriate due to its accessibility, connectivity to urban environment and can accommodate provision for dementia care in a safe, contained building.

“The proposed development will offer an alternative care home that can deliver dementia care opportunities for residents. Funding caring for individuals with dementia can be extremely expensive, so delivery of a care home specifically designed for that purpose can offer excellent value to the NHS whilst delivering a high quality care home by an operator.”

The operator of the proposed care home has not been agreed upon yet.

The plans have already attracted a number of objections from nearby residents, with some expressing concerns over the height of the building and others fearing Edmondsham Road will be unable to cope with additional traffic from staff or visitors to the building.

A decision on the proposals will be made by Dorset Council soon.