Plans for a new care home have been submitted to Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council.

The planning statement accompanying the application for permission to build on land close to West Malling railway station states the 70-bed facility is intended to offer dementia-specific care, palliative care, and respite care.

Developer Perseus Land and Developments says there is need for a new, purpose-built care home in the town and a site on land between Lucks Hills and Station Road North has been chosen.

It is estimated that the care home could create around 70 new jobs.

The applicant says it is anticipated that a completed development would be operated by a well-known not-for-profit operator of care homes and homecare care services throughout Kent, whose identity can not yet be revealed.

Currently the earmarked triangular 1.65-acre site is a grass field bounded by trees and vegetation on all sides.

The proposed three-story care home would occupy a central position within the site, with gardens arranged around the perimeter, 70 en-suite bedrooms on the ground and first floors, and staff rooms on the second floor.

It is understood the developers distributed leaflets to around 450 local residents and businesses in the area asking for their views on the proposal.

Six people responded to say they supported the scheme, while one was opposed.

It is expected the proposal will be decided on by a council planning committee by June 2.

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