A new specialist dementia care home is set to be built at the former RAF Upwood base.

The new care home is proposed to include 70 bedrooms and offer support for people aged around 85 to 90 years old.

Huntingdonshire District Council has approved planning permission for the care home, which will form part of the wider redevelopment of the old RAF base north of Ramsey Road.

Previous approval has been given to build 160 homes at the site, with an application to build a further 321 homes currently waiting for a decision from the district council.

The developer, Barcroft Estates Ltd, said there was a “pressing need” for more elderly care services in the area.

In planning documents submitted to the district council, the developer said: “The home will provide 24-hour support and care for the frail elderly, meeting a full range of residential, nursing and dementia care needs, including end-of-life and palliative services.

“The home will offer a continuing care pathway, where the long-term needs of residents can be met on-site as their care requirements may change.

“The average age of residents will be approximately 85 to 90 years.

“Residents will move into the care home at the point at which their care needs have escalated and when they or their family/carers are unable to address these needs within their own home.

“The average length of stay of residents in nursing care will be 15 to 18 months and the average length of stay for residents in residential care will be approximately two years.”

The new care home building is due to be part two-storeys and part three-storeys in height.

As well as offering specialist care, the developers said the new care home will also create 80 jobs.

The planning permission gives the developer three years to begin building the new care home.