Plans for a new 75-bed care home on the England/Wales border in Chester have been given the go-ahead.

The 24-hour facility is to be built on The Sidings, Boundary Lane, Saltney, and will lead to the demolition of Great Western House which is currently on the site.

A design and access statement prepared on behalf of applicants Liberty Care Developments said there was a "shortfall" of care home beds in the local area, with an expected increase in the number of older people and people with dementia.

Chester and District Standard: An artist's impression of what the new care home would look like.

The new development would be "dementia friendly designed", with on-site staff "fully trained in how to care for residents with complex needs and will have the facilities to adequately support end of life care".

The new care home would lead to the creation of 70 full-time equivalent jobs, with the developers estimating a £15 million investment in the local economy.

Chester and District Standard: An artist's impression of what the new care home would look like.

It would include open plan lounges and dining rooms as well as a visitor’s café, a library/quiet lounge, a hair and beauty salon, a shop, and activity room. There would also be a sensory garden.

Each of the 75 bedrooms over the three-floor building would be en-suite.

The statement added: "Communal facilities are for use by all residents if able. Some residents, however, are bed-bound and will receive meals, care and visitors from the comfort of their bedrooms. 

"The lounges and dining rooms are sized to feel homely whilst sufficient for the safe manoeuvre of wheelchair-bound residents by carers. 

"Communal facilities are located on each floor to allow carers to assist non-mobile residents to them, whilst the physically-able residents, such as many dementia sufferers, can access them independently."

In terms of security, the statement detailed: "Due to the vulnerable nature of the residents within the home, they will be escorted by staff or relatives should they wish to leave the home, or access the residents’ gardens."

The site would also have 28 car parking spaces, including three disabled bays and three electric vehicle charging point bays.

Chester and District Standard: The current site of The Sidings, with Great Western House.

A Cheshire West and Chester Council planning officer, recommending approval for the proposal, noted that while Great Western House had been occupied by various business tenants, it was claimed all the current tenants had found alternate local premises.

The officer added: "It is considered that the loss of the remaining office use on this site would not limit the range, choice and quality of employment sites available in the area," adding that 70 new jobs would be created, albeit in a different employment sector.

Permission was granted for the development, subject to a large number of conditions in relation to site preparation, habitat/wildlife protection, demolition and construction work.