There are "no other suitable sites" for a huge new care home planned to be built in Hatton.

That is according to the planning firm working on plans to build a 75-bed facility on Birmingham Road.

A previous application by Belmont Healthcare to develop the site was refused in March 2022, after 20 objections were received.

Warwick District Council said the scheme would have harmed the local canal conservation area and would not have been close enough to "primary health care services to serve the residents of the development".

Belmont submitted amended proposals later on in 2022, but nearly two years later, a decision on the latest application is yet to be determined.

And in a recent letter to the council, the company's planning firm said the three-storey facility could only be built on the chosen Hatton site.

"The simple fact is both from a need and alternative sites, there are simply no other sites that would be suitable and viable for my client," the letter said. 

"This site represents the only real opportunity to bring forward much needed care provision in the area. 

"Moreover the scheme has additional economic, social and environmental benefits, in that it will provide employment, release pressure on local adult care services, and also provide access to the canal."

The letter also referenced a meeting with council planning officers during which three issues were raised.

Firstly the council had asked for a detailed document on alternative sites, secondly it wanted more information about the site and the local demographic needs.

And finally the local authority had asked for a sustainability statement to be submitted.

"If my client were to undertake a site search for the whole district identifying suitable sites including contacting landowners regarding their availability, suitability and location," the letter added, "this would be a substantial piece of work which is likely to take many months. 

"Furthermore, this would also need all of the sites to be assessed by the council."

The fresh scheme, which has a slightly reduced height to the previous one, still includes a footpath to Hatton Locks and access from an existing roundabout.

The application says it will preserve as many trees as possible to help break up the appearance of the building.

The planning application said the healthcare provider wants to "create an environment where residents receive the highest standard of care, where dignity is respected, where talents and interests are encourages and where life is lived to its fullest potential".

See the full application here.