Almost 100 apartments for people with care needs could be built in Portishead where a furniture store was once planned.

A new residential development has been unveiled this month which plans to create an area for people over 65 to live together.

A total of 96 one or two-bedroom flats would be built, if Anchor’s proposal gets the support of North Somerset Council officers and its planning committee.

The proposed site is off Serbert Way, between Sainsbury’s supermarket and the Premier Inn hotel.

A spokesman for Anchor said the location offered the potential to develop a high-quality, sustainable, residential extra care facility close to the town centre and other amenities.

They added: “There is increasing demand for our type of planned, care-related, residential development throughout Portishead and the wider area.”

However, the land has been earmarked for employment usage.

In 2012, permission was granted for a furniture store and petrol station to be built.

While the Sainsbury’s garage was constructed, the furniture business never materialised.

Since then several sites in Portishead earmarked for job opportunities have been converted into housing developments, including the former Severn Paper Mill near the marina.

Yards away from the proposed care apartments is Harbour Crescent, which last year was given permission for 93 flats with developer Prelon Construction arguing there was no businesses willing to use the area.

MORE: ‘Reluctant’ support for more homes in Portishead.

The Anchor spokesman said the development would though provide jobs within the sector for people living in the town.

The homes will be aimed specifically at people over 65 who require a degree of care-related support either now or in the future.

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

A planning application is expected to be submitted within the next four to six weeks, according to Anchor.

* People wishing to comment on the scheme can do so at www.anchor-portishead.info