A CARE home for the elderly in St Cross is hoping to more than double its capacity in a bid to provide specialist care for those with dementia.

But neighbours are opposing St Cross Grange's planning application, which includes doubling the number of rooms it currently has, demolishing the current extensions, and replacing them with two- and three-storey buildings.

According to St Cross Grange Residential Care Home, the current extensions - which have narrow corridors and varying levels - are not suitable for the kind of care the home wants to provide, and are expensive to maintain.

The care home, managed by the Greensleeves Homes Trust, says it urgently needs to increase the number of beds it has from 29 to 62 because it is currently running at a loss, and there is a need for more care for those with dementia.

However, neighbours say their concerns include the size of the development, and the risk of overlooking into their homes.

They also say an outside area for people with dementia is too small, and would also be intrusive to people living in homes which run alongside the garden area.

A decision on the scheme is expected in October.