PLANS to build an 83-suite care home in Cheltenham have been thrown out, despite concerns over the town's ageing population.

Signature Senior Lifestyle wanted to demolish Cleevemont Lodge in Evesham Road, and replace it with a six-storey home for frail and elderly residents.

Despite admitting there would be a need in the future for similar accommodation, councillors rejected the application.

At a Cheltenham Borough Council planning meeting, Coun Klara Sudbury (C, All Saints) said: “I agree there is a requirement for us to provide more of this type of care accommodation, but people of that age deserve better than this. There used to be a programme called Prisoner Cell Block H, this is like Prisoner Cell Block I.”

Members said it was too big for the site, extending 80 metres, and would harm the character of the area.

Coun Malcolm Stennett (PAB, Prestbury) said: “I do have sympathy for care homes and it's possible that it could be the right location, but I think what's being proposed is far too vast, far too high, and out of character with the area. It would do a lot of damage to the appearance of the gateway into Cheltenham.

“It's a commercial premises, as is UCAS, and look at the parking there. This application is for 83 care suites. There will be ambulances, food deliveries, taxis, visitors. It will spill into Hill Court Road.”

At the meeting, Wayne Price, of Signature Senior Lifestyle Ltd, said: “We've a long term commitment to the site and the local community. Our typical resident is in their 80s and requires some kind of care. What makes us different is the environment within which the care is provided.

“Our homes are residential in character and we envisage all the residents and staff will come from Cheltenham. It will help to relieve pressure on existing health services including bed blocking in hospitals.

“There is an ageing population and the number of people over 85 is set to increase by 22 per cent in the next 10 years. Only 50 per cent of bed space in Cheltenham have en-suite bathrooms.

“To provide all of Cheltenham's elderly with a bed, 443 bed spaces are required over the next 10 years.

“This equates to another eight residential care homes.”

However members decided they had approved a number of applications for care homes recently, and voted, bar one abstention, to refuse this one.

In November last year the council approved plans to build a 64-bed care home in the gardens of a 19th century villa in Charlton Kings, on land at East Court, East End Road. At the beginning of June this year it approved plans for a 57-bedroom home in Kingsmead Road on the former Tungum Hydraulics site.