PLANNERS have given the all-clear for an 88-bed dementia care home next to the new Bridgwater Hospital, which will create around 120 jobs.

The £10million project was given the nod by Sedgemoor District Council this week, less than three months after it was first revealed in the Mercury.

N Notaro Homes is behind the care home, and the firm’s managing director, Nunzio Notaro, said: "We're delighted with the council's decision, and with the support we have had from local people.

"We are hoping to start as soon as possible and we are probably looking at opening in January 2015.

"There's a need for this care home and it will create jobs."

The Mercury reported, when the scheme was first unveiled, how Mr Notaro said it would help tackle the serious problem of mental illness among the elderly.

The home will provide specialist dementia care and nursing care, as well as specialist care for younger adults with learning disabilities.

As well as 64 bedrooms, there will be 12 assisted living units and 12 low-dependency units.

The jobs created would range from trained nurses to chefs.

Sedgemoor District Council said it would be “a striking contemporary, landmark building on a gateway site into the town”.

A spokesman said: “The planning permission is the subject of a local labour condition to ensure use of local labour during both construction and operation.

“A substantial financial contribution has been made by the developer towards the provision of the planned tidal defence barrier on the River Parrett.”