Almost 100 new care apartments are simply not needed in Portishead, according to early critics of a planned scheme.

Last month the Times reported on Anchor’s plans to build 96 care flats off Serbert Way, near Sainsbury’s supermarket.

The developer wants to create two buildings and take up a plot which was once expected to be filled by a furniture store, before plans fell through a few years ago.

While Anchor said its scheme would provide needed homes for the town, criticism of it have already come forward.

This week, it approached North Somerset Council to see what assessments it must carry out before looking to submit a planning application in the coming weeks.

But the move has prompted the first concerns to be raised against the plan.

Jenny Parry, who lives in Cabot Rise, in her council submission said there is not the need for the type of development Anchor is proposing – despite the firm’s claims.

She said: “Given Portishead already has nine care facilities, I fail to see why yet another one is necessary. The strain this would put on existing medical facilities in Portishead could be enormous.

“This area was originally designated for employment; this facility will offer very little in the way of new employment for Portishead.

“Access along Serbert Road is already busy and more cars and potentially scooters and pedestrians could be a considerable hazard. Coupled with the building of retirement apartments and the already agreed to apartments at Harbour Crescent near the proposed railway station, this is just going to have a further negative impact on the quality of life in Portishead.”

The loss of employment land in Portishead has long been a concern of people living there and also Portishead Town Council.

The aforementioned Harbour Crescent site, plus the old Severn Paper Mill land, have all given way to housing schemes in recent years.

Such has been the concern, a public motion was put to the town council asking it to oppose all housing development until infrastructure is improved.

Anchor’s spokesman said last month: “Once completed, it (the facility) will employ up to 15 people ranging in skills from domestic care to medical support.”