Belong care village, designed by national architecture practice Pozzoni, will occupy a site that was previously a school for the blind and will also offer care for those with dementia.

A developer has secured permission a new care village in Birkdale offering accommodation for more than 100 elderly people.

The Belong care village, designed by national architecture practice Pozzoni, will occupy a site that was previously a school for the blind.

It will also include facilities for residents living with dementia.

Planning permission was secured after an appeal by Mosaic Town Planning on behalf of care village specialists, Belong, following Sefton Council’s initial refusal in March 2016.

The inspector’s report found that the character and appearance of the nearby West Birkdale Conservation Area would be preserved and dismissed the council’s initial concerns regarding the proposal’s impact on local heritage assets.

The development will comprise six households across three floors, where 24-hour support is provided in small-scale, home-like environments.

A four-storey adjoining wing offers 30 one and two-bedroom independent living apartments.

A bistro, hair salon, exercise studio and village hall will also be included in the village centre, and will be accessible to residents as well as the local community.

Emma Tanti, associate at Pozzoni and project lead on the Belong Birkdale scheme, said: “We have extensive experience in dementia-friendly design and best practice principles will be used throughout.

“Simple design elements can make a big difference for people living with dementia to better understand their environment and help maintain their independence.

“Belong Birkdale will be non-institutional in design, offering a vibrant and welcoming environment which will become a real asset not just to older people in the area, but the wider community too.”

Work is expected to start on site by the end of the year.