New facilities look set to be built at dementia care homes - including an on-site pool, salon and cinema facilities -after expansion plans were approved at sites in Nottinghamshire.

The Church Farm at Rusticus site in Cotgrave has received planning permission for an expansion and the Church Farm at Skylarks in West Bridgford is awaiting its formal decision notice following the completion of a Section 106 agreement - an agreement between local authorities and developers in planning application.

Both plans include space allowing for more bedrooms - 30 at the Cotgrave site and 32 at the Skylarks home - and independent living pods for assisted living or carer respite.

Owner of Church Farm Care Ltd Patrick Atkinson welcomed the decision by Rushcliffe Borough Council.

The architecture for both homes will include innovative designs such as walkways with curved walls to increase visibility and sliding partitions to promote independence.

At both development sites, local residents will be encouraged to use the on-site facilities.

The approved application is for the fifth phase of development at the Rusticus site, following previous upgrades to the site including the reception and staff facilities, as well as the addition of balconies to the accommodation.

This phase includes the addition of 30 new bedrooms and three detached two-bed, assisted living pods, plus more parking and landscaping. The £4m project is due to start in March 2020.

Mr Atkinson said: “This development is something residents should be incredibly proud of and Rushcliffe Borough Council should be applauded for supporting the applications.

"An entirely Nottingham-based team - and one that shares my passion for delivering a higher standard of dementia care and facilities - delivered this project which I’m equally thrilled about.

“The aim of Church Farm Care is to provide the best possible care, every minute of the day.

"Having a fantastic environment to live and work is a crucial part of this and reflects our belief that, above all else, people matter.

"We view those who live and work with us as family and approach our homes as places where people can share their life histories and support each other to live well.”

The work at the Skylarks home will be carried out in late 2020 as part of a £6m scheme to build five detached independent living pods for assisted living or carer respite.

The expansion also includes the provision of 32 new bedrooms, new access routes and landscaping.

Becky Smith, dementia design specialist at Leonard Design, said: “Our team shares Patrick’s belief that care facilities don’t have to be treated as purely clinical spaces, prioritising the practical over the personal.

“Church Farm Care has proved that when a project is designed sensitively and intelligently, it will be recognised by the community and local authority as being of real value and something worth standing behind.”

Nick Grace, partner at GraceMachin Planning and Property, said: “This rare pair of planning decisions speak not only to the work of our team, but to the strength of the design, as well as the quality and reputation of Church Farm Care.

"This was a true collaboration; without any of the three elements, I don’t think we would have achieved such a positive result in such a short space of time.

“For us, the special circumstances were clear as both Skylarks and Rusticus offer so much to the community as well as promising a high quality of care to those with dementia.

"The design is also very sympathetic to the environment and has even reduced long-standing flood risks.

"This decision by the local council is a win not only for us and Church Farm Care but everyone in Nottingham as these are truly landmark schemes.”