THE chief executive of Somerset Care has told residents that the group will work with them over plans to redevelop one of Yeovil's oldest residential homes.

The Express revealed back in April that Somerset Care had unveiled proposals to demolish the Grovelands building in Grove Avenue and replace it with accommodation for 60 elderly people.

Yeovil Town Council's planning and licensing committee gave cautious support to the project on Monday although it was not entirely happy with the proposed design.

And now South Somerset District Council's planning department is to work closely with Somerset Care in order to draw up a scheme that is acceptable.

Planning officer Charmaine Sully said: "At this stage the design does not warrant the loss of the existing attractive two-storey building.

"It is understood that the justification for rebuilding it that the existing building is unable to be easily remodelled to meet current care standards. But it is not felt that this outweighs the need to ensure that the proposed building is in keeping with the area of high visual quality."

Councillors heard that ten letters of objection had been received with concerns about noise, dust and traffic during demolition and construction, the impact on on-street parking and the loss of the Grovelands building which dates back to 1896.

Neighbour Bob Glass told councillors he was worried about the access to the site and that ambulances had difficulties entering Grovelands, while another resident said that the value of his own house would go down by 15 per cent if the scheme went ahead.

But chief executive of Somerset Care, Andrew Larpent, said: "There was a clearly identified need by Somerset County Council about a shortage of beds in Yeovil.

"This scheme will see the number of beds at Grovelands rise from 25 to 60 and none of the existing provision at the home is fit for modern purposes.

"We are very conscientious to work with our neighbours and we want to do so for their benefit.

"But this development will be of huge benefit to the people of Yeovil."

Councillors were clearly unhappy about the design and were told that the proposal would be discussed by South Somerset District Council's Area South committee at a later date.

The Mayor of Yeovil, Cllr Ian Martin, said: "I would like to think we can work our way through this. We need to come up with a suitable solution, but there is a need to have a full consultation."

Councillors agreed that the proposal would have to be discussed again at a future date following more negotiations between all relevant parties.