A CARE retirement community village could be built after councillors overturned a decision of refusal from planning officers.

Elker Developments Ltd submitted plans to Ribble Valley Council to create a new care retirement community home at land off Elker Lane, Billington.

Elected councillors overturned a recommendation from planning officers to refuse the plans at the most recent planning and development meeting on Thursday.

Councillors said the ‘need’ for a retirement care home outweighed the concerns with the application, such as traffic congestion and loss of green field sites, because of the current and future demand for care services for the elderly.

The councillors voted 11 to two in favour of overturning the officers’ recommendation. It will now be deferred and go back to committee at a future planning and development meeting.

The village centre plans consist of 50 care bedrooms and communal facilities comprising of social gathering areas, such as a library, a cafe, fitness suite, a pool and sauna area and hairdresser.

It will be complemented by an associated dementia garden, croquet lawn as well as a car park for 38 spaces.

The proposal also seeks consent for the erection of 60 assisted living two-bedroom apartment units, which will be two storeys in height.

Ward councillor Cllr Ged Mirfin said: “I opposed the decision because the location of the home wasn’t close to any local services unless you have a car, which I do not imagine many people in a retirement home would have.”

Cllr Alison Brown, who is the chairman of the committee, said: “This type of application is rare in itself because I don’t believe we have this type of retirement home in the county let alone the Ribble Valley.”