Essington nursing home finally set to be built

Developers hope to build the facility on land off Kitchen Lane. Initial plans were approved by council chiefs as far back as 1997 and the previous building on site was demolished.

But the nursing home project has been hit by a series of setbacks. For example, three years ago, Kean Building Services said it would not build the home unless permission was given for 40 bedrooms, saying a 20-bedroom home was not viable.

But a revised application will now go before South Staffordshire Council's planning committee in April. It seeks to renew the previous planning consent that was given in 2004, which proposes a U-shaped one-storey building with a central two-storey section.

It would provide 20 bedrooms, two lounges and a dining room, plus space for 14 vehicles at the front of the building.

Essington councillor David Clifft said he would be pleased to see the site, which used to contain farm buildings, put to good use.

Councillor Clifft added: "I'm totally in favour of the proposal. The site hasn't been used for some time so there's a bit of undergrowth and it would be good to see the plans come together.

"With the elderly population growing in South Staffordshire it will also cater for people's needs in Essington and allow residents to stay in the village. I had some concerns initially – I wasn't against the application but I had some highways concerns about traffic coming in and out."

South Staffordshire Council confirmed the application, which will go before planning bosses on April 8, had been received.