Plans have been unveiled for a 'care village' which would see a new care home and a range of housing built in Bridport.

Dorset County Council presented proposals at a meeting of Bridport Town Council on Tuesday night for a 60 to 70-bed care home and 90 homes on Flood Lane.

The scheme, known as ‘Bridport Gateway,' aims to provide a new care home for people with nursing and dementia care needs; a range of housing for older people, including supported living, extra care and respite care; and housing for key workers, such as social workers, carers and nurses.

It is hoped some social housing will also be provided as part of the scheme.

The presentation was led by Cllr Jill Haynes, county council cabinet member for health and care, who said the Fisherman's Arms site could be used for 're-locatable housing' to meet the short term accommodation needs for adult social care.

Twelve housing units could be built on the site which, according to Cllr Haynes, would enable residents to move to their permanent location on site when the development is completed, minimising disruption. The re-locatable units will then be moved to another site elsewhere in the county planned for development.

It is planned that Sidney Gale care home will remain open during the development period, with residents transferring to the new development when it is finished.

The development will also provide facilities for the day centre service, with the current service transferring to St Andrew’s School during the development phase.

The Bridport Gateway scheme has been put forward to meet growing demand for adult social care, with dementia levels expected to rise by 36 per cent in Dorset by 2025.

The county council, Bridport Town Council and the Neighbourhood Plan Group will be part of the design team preparing the planning application, which will include a consultation allowing Bridport residents to have their say on the proposed scheme.

Cllr Haynes said: “This development of housing aimed at social care clients and key workers, alongside a new care home focused on providing nursing and dementia care, will provide much-needed accommodation for Bridport residents. It will greatly enhance the area around West Bay Road and Flood Lane. More importantly, it will meet the future need for accommodation for health and adult care services, with residents benefitting through personal choice and the ability to remain at home.”

The county council is currently working to appoint a development partner which will be submitted for approval to the new Dorset Council Shadow Executive Committee in January 2019.

The aim is for Bridport Gateway to be completed in autumn 2021.