A 64-bed care home earmarked for land off a main road has been likened to an "office block on a business park".

Development company Aspire-LPP wants to construct the facility in St Michaels between Tenterden and Ashford – about 100 metres from an existing care home.

If given the nod, two houses – Kent House and Little Dawbourne – would make way for the home, which would face the A28.

But Tenterden Town Council has opposed the scheme on several grounds, including putting disproportionate pressure on local medical services and that there are five other care homes in the area providing similar services.

Also listed in its refusal is harm to biodiversity, poor road access, the negative impact on the ancient Roman road and that it would contravene the Tenterden Neighbourhood Plan.

Coming before the town council's planning committee earlier this month, committee chairman Cllr John Crawford said the proposed building looked like "an office block on a business park".

But the developers say the application – which Ashford Borough Council is yet to decide on – “meets an identified need in the area” and will “broaden the range of accommodation available”.

Furthermore, they say: "The building takes on a traditional design approach with contemporary elements such as the use of the semi-recessed balcony element to the rear elevation.

"Features such as these are key for the occupants, allowing for views from the building in a safe and at least partially sheltered manner.

"The balconies to the eastern elevation are more open and allow good views over the gardens and to the woodland.

"They have been positioned to avoid impacting on neighbour amenity through overlooking."

The site of the proposed facility – which would cater for the very elderly and dementia patients – is just past St Michael & All Angels Church, about 100 metres from the Acacia House care home.

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