A planning application to turn a former retirement home into a "world class" care home has been submitted by Kenilworth-based WCS Care.

The charity - which operates a number of care homes in Warwickshire - bought Southfields on Lillington Road earlier this year and has now revealed detailed plans for bringing it back to life.

A planning application submitted to Warwick District Council has asked for permission to redevelop the site to create a 58-bed care home.

"WCS Care's ambition for the new care home development on Lillington Road in Leamington is to construct a high quality, contemporary home which pushes forward the boundaries and expectations of residential care in the United Kingdom," the application said. 

"WCS Care is already attracting huge public and professional interest for its innovation and care standards of the highest quality. 

"The new Southfields home will deliver a world class building which will facilitate the world class care model WCS has created and delivered in its recent new builds in Rugby, Kenilworth and Warwick"

Earlier this year WCS Care bought the site and said it was a "key milestone" in the charity's plans to expand its award-winning model of village-style care.

Empty for over five years, Southfields offers a "rare opportunity" to bring an underused building back into meaningful use, it said.

The 1.26 acre site will help generate 85 new jobs.

The application continued: "The concept behind the proposed development draws heavily on inspiration from a care home called De Hogeweyk, located in a small town called Weesp, just a short drive from Amsterdam. 

"De Hogeweyk is a unique care facility which was developed between 2008-2009 and has been operational since 2010 and embraces the philosophy that people with dementia should be able to live their lives in the way they had been used to living, even though they may no longer be capable of full independence."

The design includes small, self-sufficient households supported by consistent staff teams, along with a central plaza offering communal spaces such as shops and a launderette - all aimed at creating a homely, active and engaging environment for older people.

There will be eight in total with four on each floor.

Each household will include between four and 11 en-suite bedrooms.

"Traditional care homes often feature large, impersonal settings that can be overwhelming and isolating for residents," the application continued. 

"WCS Care has successfully disrupted this model by creating a more intimate and community-oriented environment. 

"The proposed redevelopment of Southfields will embody this, providing a modern, sustainable, and resident-focused care home that addresses the unique needs of older adults and those living with dementia."

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