AT least 25 new jobs look set to be created in Williton after Somerset Care was finally given permission to build a new Croft House care home in the village. Members of West Somerset Council's planning committee went against the advice of planning officers and unanimously approved the application, which should see a 64-bed care home built on land known as The Bury, between Bank Street and Bridge Street. The development would also include a new adult learning building and register office. However, the Secretary of State will have to rubber- stamp the proposal before work can begin as the application site lies outside of the village's development limits. The plans also attracted objections from Williton Parish Council, nearby residents and the Environment Agency. But supporters told Thursday's planning meeting it was vital the application was approved for the wellbeing of West Somerset's elderly. Former headteacher and Williton resident Allan Woollam said his 89-year-old mother was a resident at the current Croft House and said the home was no longer fit for purpose. He said: "Croft House is past its sell by date and is completely unsuitable for residents despite the excellent care." County Cllr Anthony Trollope-Bellew said there was no alternative site for the home in Williton and no space to expand the current premises on the existing site. "If this is turned down, Croft House will disappear from Williton and the jobs with it," Cllr Trollope- Bellew said. The home currently caters for 41 residents, while the new facility would have a dedicated 14-bed dementia unit. Brenda Clare, Somerset Care area manager, said dementia rates and demand for care were increasing and the existing home placed enormous constraints on both staff and residents. Andrew Larpent, chief executive of Somerset Care, said Croft House currently employed 50 people, while the new home would create a further 25 jobs. He said Somerset Care was facing "unprecedented demand" for beds for people with dementia and that facilities at the existing home were "unsuitable and in urgent need of replacement". He said: "We would urge the committee to note the overwhelming support for this proposal that exists within the community and to approve this application. "Our current residents have limited time and they deserve to see their new home delivered as fast as is humanely possible." A number of staff members attended the meeting and were told the application had received 67 letters and a 257-signature petition in support. An objection from the highways authority was withdrawn following changes to the access, although the Environment Agency maintained its opposition subject to further information about floor levels within the development due to flood risk. Paul Dadson, the council's principal planning officer, told the planning committee that if permission was granted, the existing Croft House site would be given to Somerset County Council for affordable housing. However, he believed that could not form part of the committee's discussions and urged them to focus purely on planning policy, local need, employment, highway safety, flooding and archaeology issues. Cllr Keith Turner said he could understand Mr Dadson had to "stick to the rules" but said the committee had to take a wider view. "We have to be realistic. We are told nursing homes are closing down across the country. "Let this be an exception to the rule. Let this be unavoidable progression," Cllr Turner said. Williton Cllr Hugh Davies said he was disappointed by both Mr Dadson's report and the objections of the parish council. He said the council had already set a precedent when it approved a 32-bed extension at the former Boyd House care home in Minehead, which was also outside of the development limit and bigger than the entire site proposed for a replacement Croft House. Fellow Williton member and council chairman Cllr Eddie May said Somerset Care had been fighting for permission for the development for several years and blamed the council's planning department for continually "changing the guidelines". Cllr Jon Freeman added: "I visited Croft House some years ago and was shocked at the conditions staff were expected to work in. "This development is desperately needed."