Dozens of new care home jobs planned for Bicester

DOZENS of new jobs could be created if plans for a multi-million pound specialist care home get approved.

Montpelier Estates hopes to build a 76-bed care home for people suffering from dementia or brain injuries at a former allotment site off Skimmingdish Lane, Bicester.

The land, owned by the Oxford Diocese, already has outline planning permission for office accommodation. The care home would be built on half of the site.

Planning consultant Peter Frampton, of Framptons, North Bar, Banbury, said: “There would be about 70 jobs, as the home would be run a 24/7 shift system, and there would be indirect employment in terms of maintenance and food supply.

“This will be an investment of £7m-£8m.”

He said Montpelier Estates had been looking for land in Bicester for several years and was in talks with a specialist care provider to run the home.

James Porter, Conservative leader at Bicester Town Council, said: “We would welcome new jobs to the town, but this would be change of use and it is important to understand how it would fit into the site.”

Roger Harwood, director of Glebe and Buildings for the Diocese of Oxford, said it was in the process of selling the site.

Plans are expected to be submitted to Cherwell District Council next month.