A NEW care facility could come to Flintshire if the conversion of an existing home is approved.

Flintshire Council received an application to change the use of an existing dwelling at Oakmere House, Bryn Celyn lane, in Holywell, to a residential care home for up to five adults and associated external alterations.

This is a "much needed and specialist care service that offers wider benefits to society," according to the applicant Options Group, an organisation which provides person-centred learning programmes for people with autistic spectrum conditions.

The house, which is currently occupied, currently includes five bedrooms, four bathrooms, three lounges, a kitchen, dining room, office, utility, medicine room and garage.

The planning statement proposes that the garage to be converted into a ground floor bedroom, where a new door and two windows will be inserted with the proposed brickwork to match the existing, as well as a new double door to the outside of the quiet lounge as well as ramped access with a railing and a retaining wall.

Option Group is seeking approval of the application in a bid to transform the property into a nationally registered and regulated facility to "help people realise their potential for independence and lead happy, fulfilling lives."

The Group already operates a successful small care home from the adjacent Phoenix House in Greenfield. It is intended that the small care home at Oakmere House will essentially operate as an extension to Phoenix House, managed by the same person and with shared staff across the two properties.

The Group are therefore hopeful that no objections from neighbours will be raised, as the proposed site is adjacent to the existing care home, Phoenix House, and is situated at the end of a private lane.

The applicant also believe that the "semi-rural and tranquil location" of the site provides an appropriate and necessary environment for the proposed use, as it did for Phoenix House.

The application remains in a consultation period until Friday, June 1, when residents are welcome to comment on the application by visiting Flintshire council's website.

A final target decision date has been set for Friday, June 22.