12 jobs created

Dementia unit

A care home is to create 12 new jobs by building its own dementia unit.

The 10- bed extension at Ayr’s Creggan Bahn Court will open alongside the current residential unit, which cares for 50 people.

Home bosses said the development represented a significant six figure sum.

Creggan Bahn owner, Melaine Caldow, told councillors on South Ayrshire’s planning board: “We have a long waiting list and are currently unable to help four out of five people.”

T h e 3 4 4 s q - m e t r e extension will be built over two floors and attached to the current home.

It’s understood the standalone treatment wing will be the first of its kind in an Ayrshire care home.

Bu t o b j e c t o r Ken Ballantyne, a resident in Seafield Road, claimed the plan could spark parking problems for neighbours.

He said: “Staff are perfectly entitled to park wherever they want but things are only going to get worse now.”

Mrs Caldow said staff had now been encouraged to park on one side of Seafield Road, leaving the other free for residents.

She added: “We’re not the only business on the street – you also have the Chestnuts Hotel, Seafield Stores and numerous dog walkers leaving their cars.”

Councillors heard that the new build would also create an extra eight parking spaces within the care home.

Tory councillor Peter Convery said the unit was needed.

The plan was passed unanimously.