TWO state-of-the-art care homes have been given the go-ahead in Carlisle and Whitehaven by councillors.

At today's Development Control and Regulation Committee meeting in Kendal, councillors approved plans for the new 60-bedroom care homes specially designed for residents with a mix of dementia and high dependency needs.

The care home in Carlisle will be built on the former site of Morton Park Primary School, Burnrigg, which closed in 2006.

The one in Whitehaven will be on the former site of Sekers factory on Cleator Moor Road, Hensingham.

Alan Clark, chairman of the committee, said: "This is a facility that is badly needed in the area. It's a pleasure to let this through."

The proposal was put forward as part of Cumbria County Council's modernisation of of residential care services across the county.

Both care homes will have three wings, a communal area with a cafe and a wildflower meadow, gardens and allotment.

Christine Wharrier, county councillor for Hillcrest and Hensingham, said of the Whitehaven care home: "It will be a vast improvement. It's welcomed by residents there because they have lived opposite a seagull filled waste land for about a year now.

"I can't actually picture [the development] in that land but that's me. It just seems too small for all that. But it's a welcome facility. It's modern and it's what we're looking for...I can't say enough to credit it really."

Copeland Council did raise some concern about the care home which were raised in the meeting. Although the council said the site was acceptable and acknowledged the benefits of the home, it had concerns about the quality of the building and its design with regard to the surroundings.

However, planning officers said the home complied with the local plan, enhanced the surroundings by transforming a brownfield site and would provide a much needed specialist facility.

Many councillors agreed with Mr Clark, including those representing Barrow where a similar home has opened.

Ernie Wilson said: "We have been so impressed with it. It's unbelievable. From my discussions with residents in there right now, they absolutely love it. If this were to be built to the same high quality and standard, it would be extremely welcome to me."

Councillor Alan McGuckin said of the Carlisle development: "I think everybody here welcomes this superb facility because we admire that which was built in Barrow and we say the sooner the better."

Councillors decided to write to the applicant to ask them to consider using green renewable energy in both buildings.

Once building starts, it will take 18 months to complete the care homes.