Plans to build a 75-bedroom, three-storey care home have been unveiled.

Care developer Aspire LLP hopes to erect the facility on land just off the Old Thanet Way in Whitstable, near the large Tesco superstore.

In papers submitted to Canterbury City Council, bosses behind the scheme say building on the currently empty field would bring “significant benefits” to the district.

The documents read: “An opportunity was seen to make more efficient use of this sustainably located site through its development as a care home, which is very much needed in the locality.

“The district is heavily reliant upon care homes converted from alternative use and frequently of a design inappropriate to facilitate the increasing nature of care required at this point in time.

“A significant shortfall in appropriate accommodation exists and is forecast to grow rapidly over forthcoming years.

“We therefore consider that this application should be granted permission without delay.”

The proposed development will be registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC) and will provide 75 en suite bedrooms for the provision of care to the elderly, with the building being 13m high.

The company behind the project feels there is a “clearly evidenced local need” which would also free up housing stock elsewhere and would create about 50 jobs.

Backing up the claims, Aspire says the number of people across the district over the age of 85 is forecast to rise by 59% by 2035 - 10% higher than the projected national figure.

There are 36 care homes across Canterbury, Herne Bay and Whitstable - with 14 having closed in the past 10 years, according to Aspire.

It is not yet known what timeline is in mind for the project, but it is expected to cost a seven-figure sum to develop.

Previous attempts to build on the land have been scuppered - with two applications being refused by the local authority.

A 2012 bid to build a church, sports facilities and business park on the land was rejected with hopes of building a 28-home estate in 2016 also suffering the same fate.

The developers hope to retain some of the green space to the north of the site.

Some 22 vehicle parking spaces would be created, with two of these being disabled bays and a further two being for electric vehicles.

Aspire is yet to respond to a request for comment.