PLANS to double the size of a care home near Cheddar have been approved – despite objections from some locals.

The Laurels Care Home, in Westfield Lane, Draycott, applied for permission to gradually demolish the current 21-bed structure and replace it with a 49-bed facility.

Plans submitted to Somerset Council by Osmond Tricks, on behalf of Country Court Care, said rooms in the current building were “well below current standards”, while “staff and support facilities are similarly squeezed”.

The new, two-storey facility would increase the space to 49 bedrooms over 2,200sqm, it said, while increasing parking to the front of the property and build into land at the rear.

However, it met with opposition from some quarters, over issues such as an increase in traffic.

One commentor said: “I would like, once again, to object most strenuously to this application only because of the traffic movement issues.

How the new buildings could look in Draycott. Picture: Osmond Tricks/Somerset Council

“I note Highways are not objecting and feel that the estimation of 68 two-way traffic movements “over the length of a day” is acceptable.

“Highways clearly haven’t done a site visit, otherwise they would see for themselves the single track roads they are expecting this traffic to use.”

Rodney Stoke Parish Council also objected to the plans, with concerns including a lack of parking and unsuitable access to the site.

The scheme was approved by members of Somerset Council’s Planning Committee – East.