PLANS have been submitted to build a 49-bedroom care home in a village near Spennymoor.

Apex Architectural Planning has asked Durham County Council for permission to build the residential home to the north east of High Street in Byers Green.

According to papers published online, the company would demolish a house on High Street to create a driveway for the new home.

They would also widen the local road to improve safety at the proposed junction.

In a statement to the council, Rod Hepplewhite, a director at Prism Planning who are acting as agents on behalf of Apex, said the home would have 49 ensuite bedrooms.

The company would also create 28 parking spaces to be used by staff.

And Mr Hepplewhite said a public footpath across the site would be diverted to go around the proposed the care home.

The planning agent said Byers Green does not currently have a care home and the new facility would meet a need in the area.

Durham County Council planning officer Steven Pilkington is now looking at the proposal.

Members of the public can have their say on the plan by visiting Durham.gov.uk and visiting the planning page.

Mr Pilkington will be consulting on the plan until Friday, July 18.

He is expected to make a decision in September this year.