A SCHEME to build a specialist care home on the outskirts of Romsey has been given the go-ahead.

Borough councillors approved Hartford Care’s proposed scheme for the Abbotswood site last week and the company hope to have the 60-bed state-of-the-art home up and running by August next year.

Hampshire-based Hartford has invested £8m in the home, which will provide nursing care and cater for dementia sufferers. It will also provide respite and day care.

Around 80 jobs will be created by the scheme, which will occupy a site covering half a hectare on the south side of the new housing development and west of the proposed local centre.

Hartford’s chief executive, Sean Gavin, said: “We are delighted to have gained the consent to bring this outstanding care facility to Romsey.

“We believe that there is a real need for this home and we look forward to creating a great place to live and work, with care, comfort and companionship to the fore. We hope to commence construction in the summer and are aiming to open the home in the summer of 2015.”

The company has a £30 million programme to open a total of four care homes across Hampshire – creating about 300 jobs altogether.

In addition to Abbotswood, building work is under way on homes at Fair Oak and Netley Abbey, while Hartwood House, at Lyndhurst, was opened last year.

Hartford is being partnered by the Highwood Group and Cinnamon Care Capital to develop the care home facilities.