Plans for a care home that has been compared to a prison have been approved, despite objections from councillors.

Revised proposals for the three-storey home, set to be built on land west of Barton Hill Drive, Minster, that will include a cinema, hairdressers and cafe, have been given the go-ahead by Swale council’s planning committee.

On the left are the original plans compared to the approved amended plans

LNT Construction’s plan for the 66-bed care home form part of a development of 700 homes which were granted on appeal in March 2020.

Councillors had criticised the care home plans which were deferred during a committee meeting in September.

One of the reasons behind the deferral was the design of the building which was compared to HMP Elmley by Cllr Andy Booth (Con).

The location of the care home, on the A2500 roundabout, was also a cause for concern for Cllr Tony Winckless (Lab) who said the site was “way out with no public transport” and “no amenities”.

The home was discussed again at the planning meeting on Thursday, November 9.

Cllr Peter MacDonald (Swale Independents), who represents Minster at Swale council, spoke on behalf of Minster Parish Council. He said: “We don’t agree with the plans. We are happy for care homes to be built but the site is totally unsuitable.

“The A2500 capacity for 13,000 vehicles already is already grossly overloaded, with well over 20,000 using the road every day.

“It’s the worst possible location.”

Cllr MacDonald also said that the 25 car parking spaces were “inadequate".

Cllr Dolley Wooster (Lab), who represents the neighbouring ward of Sheerness, said the care home is “taking away from the community rather than giving to it”.

She pointed out that Blackburn Lodge care home in Sheerness has been forced to close due to water supply problems.

She added: “If this development goes ahead it would be replacing the KCC care home. This would mean the replacement of a free care home with something that people, who are lucky enough to get a space, would have to pay hundreds and hundreds of pounds to be there.”

However, Cllr Peter Marchington (Cons), who represents Queenborough and Halfway, put forward the case for approval.

He said: “We need the care home in the area with good links to the whole Island. I see the location near the roundabout as a good point rather than being tucked away in Minster Village.

He added: “I don’t see anything wrong with it.”

Jo Kemp, representing LNT Construction, defended the company’s plans saying 25 parking spaces would be enough for lunchtime shifts – the busiest time of the day in care homes – when there would be 24 staff on duty.

The senior planning manager also spoke about the revised design which includes a lowered roof to break up the building’s mass.

She added that the location was “ideal” as residents would be able to look out at the roundabout and longer distance views.

“We have found residents want to know what going on,” she said: “It’s a misconception that care homes should be quiet.”

The committee voted to approve the plans.