PLANS to extend a nursing home near Pershore have been given the green light by council chiefs.

Wychavon District Council has approved a scheme that will permit the three-storey extension, at Pirton Grange Nursing Home in Worcester Road.

The proposal includes provision of a new access for services, a patio and associated parking for the home, which provides long-term care, mainly for young disabled people and elderly residents.

Council planners backed the scheme, despite objections from parish councillors, who claimed it would change the character of the existing red brick 18th century grade II listed building, lead to light pollution and increase traffic.

The application approved differed from an earlier approval, in 2001, which had been for a 36-bed extension.

Since then, requirements of new care standards regulations had led to a reduction in the number of bed spaces proposed. Under the new rules, all patients had to be accommodated in single rooms with at least one bathroom for every two patients. The development control and licensing committee approved the application last Thursday.