Councillors have approved plans for a new care home which will bring "much needed provision" to the area.

The former Bushey Medical Centre in London Road, Bushey, will be demolished and replaced by a 72-bed care home.

The green light was given at a planning committee meeting held at Hertsmere Borough Council's offices last Thursday.

A four-storey building will be created, including basement accommodation, and the care home will specialise in looking after residents with dementia.

It will be run by Quantum Care which has been working with Hertfordshire County Council for 30 years.

Maria Ball, chief executive of Quantum Care said: “We are really pleased about the new care home in Bushey.

"We know that there is an increasing demand for this type of facility in the area and in particular one which can also provide specialist dementia care.

"As a not-for-profit organisation, we are committed to working closely with our local communities and are very much looking forward to this exciting new development."

According to the planning application, there is currently an under-supply of 1,161 beds in Hertfordshire and the surrounding authorities compared with the England average - so this scheme will go towards taking that total down.

After the plans were approved, a spokesperson for developer NL Property said: "Turning this vacant site into state of the art facilities with special provision to care for those with dementia is much needed in the area.

"Gaining not only cross party support but to have unanimous support from Hertsmere planning committee members is very rewarding to see.

"We would like express our thanks to Hertsmere members and Officers continuing to make these important decisions in spite of the current situation."

When councillors debated the application, they were sat apart in order to observe the social distancing advice in place due to the coronavirus pandemic.

One condition was attached to the scheme which was the applicant needs to put in electric charging points. As part of the scheme, 20 parking spaces have been provided.

The NHS-owned site is currently vacant after the medical centre moved just down the road to a new modern facility.