Plans for a private-sector funded retirement village in Cumbria would boost care services and social care jobs in the North West, according to planning officers for South Lakeland District Council.

As reported by the North West Evening Mail, more than a dozen domiciliary care jobs would be created by a proposed "extra care community" on the grounds of Fairview House in Ulverston. The scheme would feature 40 two-bedroom apartments connected to a central nursing station, which would be manned 24 hours a day by medical staff.

Residents will also be provided with meals in a communal dining room if required and will be able to access personal and medical care as needed. According to the Evening Mail, local planning officers have recommended approval of the plans when the District Council makes a decision on the plans this Thursday.

"The overall concept of the scheme is to provide a 'home for life' by allowing people to live independently in their own home with support in the form of high levels of social and personal care," states the council report.

Speaking to the local newspaper, Councillor James Airey, representative for Ulverston West and the county council cabinet member for adult social care, gave the plan his backing.

"Throughout Cumbria we do need to encourage extra care housing and in particular in South Lakeland and Ulverston there is a severe shortage. Over time we need to improve the care of the elderly more as we live longer and embrace healthier lifestyles into our latter years," he said.