PLANS to build a new care home in Monmouth are going out to public consultation.

Hallmark Healthcare are applying to build a new 3183 square metre 24-hour care home for 60 elderly residents on the junction at Chartist Rise and Cornpoppy Avenue.

The new £4.5million build would have three floors - the third being in the roof space.

Cars would be able to access the complex from Chartist Rise and there would be 15 parking places.

The plans also include an on-site cinema, hairdresser and beauty salon, and therapy room.

Richard Smith, Development Manager for Hallmark Healthcare said: "The plans are for a new breed of care home and the facillities available would go far beyond the national minimum standards."

He added: "Some of the residents in the care home may find it difficult to get out into the community, so whay not bring the community to them?"

The new care home would create around 60 jobs for managers, team leaders, nursing staff and catering staff and the company would be looking to recruit locally.

The plans come at a time when building work is under way to create extra rooms for elderly residents at the Gibraltar House complex in Monmouth.

But inspite of this, Mr Smith believes there is still a high demand for care homes in the Monmouthshire area.

The application is not expected to go before Monmouthshire county council's planning committee to be considered for approval until March at the earliest.

Mr Smith said that if the application is sucessful in March, he would expect building work to be underway by May this year and completed by May 2009.

BLOB: Members of the public may see copies of the plans at the Planning Section, Monmouthshire County Council, County Hall, Cwmbran or at the One Stop Shop in Central Monmouthshire.

Any objections to the plans must be sent in writing by January 23 to the above address for the planning section, quoting the reference number DC/2007/01605.

For more information email planning@monmouthshire.gov.uk.