PLANS for a new 64-bed care home in Fulford have been given the go-ahead by City of York Council.

Octopus Health wants to build a new facility on the site of the old council-run Fordlands Home on Fordlands Road, and got planning permission in November.

But the company faced a court battle after a judicial challenge was launched by two Fulford residents, and Octopus made another duplicate application while the case progressed. The duplicate application was approved unanimously by members of the council’s planning committee on Wednesday.

Under the new application, the organisation has withdrawn plans for balconies facing people’s homes after residents objected.

Cllr John Galvin said: “I’m reaching that age when one of these days I might have an interest in an establishment such as this. I respect that residents may well have some concerns. But in my opinion we are desperately short of this kind of accommodation.”

But, objecting to the application on behalf of Fulford Parish Council, Karin de Vries said: “The parish council is very disappointed that this application is recommended for approval. We are concerned about the clustering of care homes in Fulford. Above all there’s no pressing need for a new 64-bed care home in Fulford.”

However, Cllr Ann Reid, chair of the committee, said: “I think that people who need this kind of care deserve to have as wide a choice as possible. We have heard from a resident who lives very close by that the applicant has done their best to address the concerns that they have and are fully supportive.”

The existing building on the site was closed by the council in 2012 and is now vacant except for on-site security staff.

The planning committee previously granted permission for the scheme at a meeting on November 11, 2017.