PLANS have been unveiled for a new care home in east Durham, with the creation of up to 50 jobs.

Helen McArdle Care has submitted a planning application seeking permission for the development at the site of the former Peterlee Building Supplies in Yoden Way, Peterlee.

The development will provide 56 beds and will be a place of residence for people aged 50 and over, who require constant care.

The bedrooms will be distributed over two floors, with each containing lounges, dining rooms, sanitary facilities, nurse stations and storage. Of the 26 ground floor bedrooms, 11 will have direct access to amenity garden space.

The home will be permanently staffed, with catering, laundry and domestic services provided within.

The proposal will create a main private garden to provide a quiet space away from Yoden Way.

The residents of the home are likely to come from the local community and will be funded both privately and by the local authority.

Nigel Dawson, managing director of Helen McArdle Care, said: "We are proposing a two-floor, 56 bedroom care home in Peterlee, designed by our in-house architects and interior designers.

“Our aim is to provide a unique, purpose-built living space, to ensure that residents have a great quality of life and that they receive the very best care.

“Once the home is fully operational we will be employing 50 staff from the local area.”

The site has been lying unused for some time, and was bought by HMC Group in June 2014. The buildings were demolished before the purchase of the site.