A DEVELOPER is being sought to purchase land earmarked for a luxury care home in west Cumbria.

Plans for a 66-bedroom home at Grasslot, Maryport, were submitted by Harper International Consultants Ltd in 2013 and were approved by Allerdale council.

However the land is now being marketed for sale by agents Herdman Homes.

It has a price tag of £495,000.

An advert posted by the agent says: "Herdman Homes are excited to bring to market this opportunity to develop a 66-bedroom care home At Grasslot, Maryport with planning permission.

"This parcel of land extending approximately 0.19 hectares (0.46 acres) has permission to develop a hotel style luxury care home facility."

Harper International Consultants Ltd gained permission for the development in September 2013 and three years later carried out some groundwork, including removal of Japanese Knotweed, to discharge conditions attached to the planning approval.

Similar plans for the site at Faulders Field had been submitted three years earlier by SJR Building Contractors Ltd, from Seaton. The company had initially gained permission for a 33-bed care home, later announcing plans to double the size of the development.

The same contractors had been given permission to build 10 three-bedroom terraced homes on the site in 2007.

It is not known why Harper International Consultants Ltd decided not to press ahead with their approved plans for a luxury care home.

At the time the latest application was submitted, Maryport Town Council had expressed a number of concerns about the proposals.

Councillors said they believed the proposed location on the edge of an industrial estate was unsuitable.

"In addition, the proposed development size, given that it was to accommodate 66 people, gave concern, as well as access and parking arrangements for visitors’ vehicles."

The Times & Star has been unable to contact Harper International Consultants Ltd.