KINGSDOWN Road is in line for years of major development after another proposal for land near Catsbrain Farm was submitted.

Associated Care Solutions last week applied for outline planning permission on a care village development, which would include a 40-bedroom dementia home, 120 close-care apartments and a communal clubhouse.

Earlier this month, Orchard West, which lists an identical address to Associated Care in Devizes Road, applied to build roadside facilities, including a petrol station and restaurant, on neighbouring land at the farm.

The applications are not for the same parcel of land, but sites which straddle the access road to Fitzwarren House care home, north of Kingsdown Road.

In this latest application, which would create more than 100 jobs, the close-care apartments would be across two three-storey blocks, with the dementia care home and clubhouse over two storeys.

Within the clubhouse there would be a shop, library, hydrotherapy pool, gym, quiet room, residents’ lounge, dining room and hairdressing salon.

In the application, Associated Care said: “Planning policy identifies a clear need to adapt to demographic changes in the Swindon area. The provision of modern, high-quality care facilities in the borough will therefore create significant social benefit for elderly people within the local community.

“The development will generate significant economic benefits. This will include between a direct 80 and 100 jobs, additional construction jobs, as well as opportunities for small businesses that will be able to provide services within the care village.”

The application used Christopher Roberts of planning consultants Turley as its agent, who also acted on behalf of Orchard West, and refers to the roadside facilities proposal in its own documentation.

Associated Care has already been in contact with Swindon Council’s head of planning Richard Bell and Forward Swindon’s director of development Christopher Hitchings.

“The council’s representative noted a requirement for additional assisted living and close-care accommodation, to respond to demographic changes in the local area,” the applicant said.

“Further, both the council and Forward Swindon representatives recognised the employment opportunities and economic benefits that the proposed care village would create.”

The application also makes reference to the developer’s experience and their ability to turn around a project of this size to a high quality and in a short time.

Associated Care’s statement added: “The objective of a care village is to support residents’ independence and provide care options which are tailored to their individual requirements.”

Consultation closes on Tuesday, December 23. To view the application, visit Swindon Council’s planning portal and search: S/OUT/14/1879.