A STATE-of-the-art care home planned to be built on land at the southern gateway to Evesham has been refused by councillors.

The Continuing Care Retirement Community and dementia care unit proposed at Cheltenham Road was unpopular with council planners who said the design was “unimaginative”.

Questions were also raised about the methods used by the applicants, Minton Health Care Limited, Aspen Retirement and Care UK, to canvas support in the local area.

Two residents came forward to suggest they had been cold called and asked if they were in favour of a care home and were not specifically asked about the proposals for this particular application, but their names had then been added to a list demonstrating local support.

Harry Wolton speaking for the applicant, said his client had no knowledge that this had taken place.

The proposals were for a 75 bed residential care home for frail elderly and dementia residents and 50 extra care apartments.

Councillor Wendy Dyke, the local member, said: “This three storey building would look much better on Vale Park. Local residents would welcome a care home on this site but not this one. It will be a blight on one of the entrances into the town.”

Her view was supported by Coun Reg Jakeman who added: “The design of the building would be in place in Birmingham, London and Manchester but not on the boundary of our historical town.”

Some councillors supported the plans as long as dementia suffers of any age would be able to utilise the services. Despite this the planning application was refused with seven members voting against, four in favour and there were three abstentions.