PLANS to create a luxury care home with a champagne bar and cinema in Dalgety Bay came a step closer this week after proposals were given the green light.

Earlier this year, the Press reported that Morrison Community Care (Dalgety Bay) Propco Limited had lodged plans for a 68-suite facility which would also include a hair salon, dining rooms and private, landscaped gardens.

This home is set to be located on the site of a single-storey car showroom on Harbour Way and would see the provision of 24/7 nursing delivered to residents.

A planning statement said the project would generate construction jobs and permanent employment for 100 full- and part-time care staff.

"Morrison Care have a long history of providing high-quality care in Scotland," it added. "They have won multiple awards for their service and are proud of the quality of the buildings they provide."

When the plans were announced in April, Paul Sokhi, managing director of Morrison Community Care Group, said they had already created two luxury care homes successfully with a further two under construction.

“With an ageing population and people living longer, there is a growing demand for modern, luxury accommodation, with strong infection control design, for older people in Scotland," he said.

“Thus, it is very exciting to be involved at Dalgety Bay where we will aim to make a positive, long-term contribution by delivering sector-leading standards of health and care provision.”

Matt Heaney, senior architect with Holmes Miller, added that the proposals would create a state-of-the-art care home suitable for the post-COVID era.

“The life of the residents has been uppermost in our considerations, from the creation of small, self-contained, community groups within the wider home to generous and attractive communal areas with access to external balcony space for each community group,” he said.

“The development of the Harbour Way site creates a vital, modern care facility and a welcoming corner landmark, to this important access to the Dalgety Bay settlement.”

Fife Council planner Kerry Gibson said the proposed care home was considered to be acceptable in meeting the terms of national guidance and the Development Plan.

Recommending the proposals for approval, she added: "The proposal is compatible with the area in terms of land use, design and scale and will not cause any significant detrimental impact to daylight/sunlight, privacy, noise, natural heritage or road safety."