PERMISSION for a new care home to be built in Taunton is likely to be granted in the next few days.

Trull-based Amica Care Trust is seeking planning permission for the home on the under-construction Orchard Grove development.

Somerset West and Taunton Council's planning committee meets next Thursday (January 19) to rule on whether to allow the home to be constructed.

The scheme on the 2,000-home estate in Comeytrowe would offer specialist dementia, residential and respite care.

It would feature 68 bedrooms with ensuite bathrooms, along with associated staff facilities, access, landscaping, parking and associated works.

An officer's report to councillors recommends they grant conditional approval for the home, which would create more than 100 jobs.

The home would also contain a range of communal spaces and amenities designed for relaxing and socialising, including a café, lounges, dining areas, spa, hair salon, multi-purpose activity rooms and quiet rooms.

It is the first business at Orchard Grove, which is being delivered by a consortium of housebuilders – Taylor Wimpey and Vistry Group, which includes Bovis Homes and Linden Homes. Vistry Group is working in partnership with housing association LiveWest.

Keren Wilkinson, chief executive officer at Amica Care Trust, previously told the County Gazette: “We are delighted to be creating the first purpose-built care facility within the Taunton area in over a decade. It will be a fantastic addition to both the new community and the existing local community.

"Being based in Trull, it is especially exciting to expand here, and bring a much-needed new facility and many new jobs to the area.”

Amica Care 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 more than 180 independent living apartments and cottages at other locations.

Ian Pugsley from Taylor Wimpey, part of the Orchard Grove Consortium, said: “Orchard Grove has been designed and shaped around the needs of people of all ages.

"A state-of-the art care home is clearly a much-needed facility for the local area, and we are pleased that it will be the first business at Orchard Grove. We look forward to the many more businesses that will follow.”