A NEW care home proposed for Malmesbury with the support of Wiltshire Council could be finished by spring 2016 if it receives planning permission.

The site was tendered in 2012 and there was a long period of negotiation in 2013 before a planning application was submitted in September 2014.

The plans submitted by care organization Abbeyfield are for 49 flats, designed for independent living, on the site of a previous Wiltshire Council run care home at the Burnham House site.

Of the 49 flats 32 would have affordable rents and 17 would to be sold on the open market with age restrictions.

A total of 41 of the flats will be two bed properties and eight will be one bed.

Development Manager at Abbeyfield James Parkhurst explained that he hoped demolition would start in the new year with construction beginning in March 2015.

He added: “There is an identified need in Malmesbury for specialist housing for older people, which has been demonstrated by the response we have received from the town with people wishing to be kept informed of the progress and expressing an interest in both the rental and sales.

“This is a really exciting venture, not only for Abbeyfield but also the local community and we look forward to starting work as soon as possible.”

The development has been discussed at length by a local working group which has suggested several changes from the initial development.

Cllr John Thomson, chair of the extra care scheme’s local working group, said: “It has taken a lot of hard work to get to this stage and we are pleased that it is now progressing.

“This extra care scheme, which includes new affordable housing for older people, is much needed in the area and the proposed facilities and services will benefit older people living there and across Malmesbury.”

The total development cost is just over £9million including a £1.28million government grant from the Home and Communities Agency, with Abbeyfield investing the rest.