A 68-bed care home in Grantham has today received planning approval.

The planning committee of South Kesteven District Council all voted to accept the application from Boston-based Tanglewood Care Services who seek to build the home and associated parking on the site of the former Chandos Care Home on Gorse Road.

As previously reported by Nub News, the 0.41ha site has been vacant since the former 31-bed care home was demolished in 2014.

This application differs from a scheme to build 43 assisted living apartments that Flagtree Developments gained planning approval for in June on the same site, as also previously reported by Nub News.

A council report said the new proposal "will provide for residents that have reached a point in their lives where they cannot live safely in their own homes or they may not be getting the correct type of care in hospital."

It continued: "The 68 bedrooms are all single occupancy bedrooms of c.16sqm with additional en-suite bathroom. In addition, there would be a communal lounge and dining areas, a café and visitors lounge, large laundry room, staff office and facilities, plant room and a reception with foyer on the ground floor."

At the committee meeting this afternoon, Bob Woolard, for the applicant said the reasoning to rejuvenate the sustainable brownfield site was clear and unequivocal. There was also no opposition to such a home, which he said was unprecedented.

Mr Woolard said the home was designed to offer 'homely' accommodation, with security and dignity. It should also be seen as 'good news' for its aims to 'protect our loved ones.'

After councillors questioned planning staff on the details of the scheme, they all voted to approve it.

Earlier, they were also told that the earlier approved scheme was 'extent' as in still applicable, but its developer was unable to complete a deal with the site owner, leading Tanglewood to develop its own alternative scheme.