PROPOSALS have been unveiled for an 'enormous' private care home for older people in Weymouth.

A planning application to build a three-storey 66 bed care home at land between Radipole Lane and Weymouth Police Station has been proposed and will be discussed by Weymouth town councillors on October 20 before a final decision is made by Dorset Council.

It has been submitted by Leeds-based LNT Care Developments - the company says the care home is intended as a local community facility that will provide 50 full and part-time jobs.

The 66 single-occupancy en-suite bedrooms will all have wet room facilities and would be for people needing general residential care as well as those with dementia.

But concerns have been raised about the size of the building and the extra pressure it would put on strained local NHS services, as well as the lack of public transport links to the site.

The proposal was discussed by Weymouth Town Council's Planning Committee.

Councillor Jon Orrell, a local GP, said: "This would be a considerable burden for the NHS so it is reasonable to ask for a significant contribution from the developer. We already have seen Abbotsbury Road and Lanehouse GP surgeries close and having to be rescued by the practice at Wyke - the additional need is likely to place a big strain on local services."

Councillor Graham Winter added: "I didn't think the design was too bad, however the nearest bus stop is 850 metres away. As it is a care home, not a nursing home, the residents will have a degree of independence - so that would be a hell of a lot of taxi fares for them - or a hell of a long walk."

Councillor David Northam said: "I'm concerned about the size - is it too big? I believe it is outside the development boundary so we should be objecting to it."

Councillor Christine James said: "I question whether we need another care home in that area. The developer claims there are good transport links - but there aren't any links. I'm not very happy about it. They want elderly people to move here but they don't want them to have cars. They will be stuck."

Councillor Jan Bergman added: "This is an enormous care home. I would like a view from social services on its suitability."

The committee agreed to put further questions to social services and Dorset Council's Planning department about the concerns.