A CHARITY is launching a fresh bid to win backing for a plan to create a multi-million-pound state-of-the-art housing paradise for senior citizens in Chandler's Ford.

The scheme by Winchester-based charity Brendoncare would have delivered a "total care" package for the over-60s on a four-acre site at Valley Park.

It would have included a 20-bedroom nursing centre with 37 two-bedroom care apartments, a fitness centre, a hairdressing salon, a library and a licensed restaurant with facil-ities being shared by the local community.

The apartments would have been rented or sold on a leasehold basis to people over 60.

As reported by the Daily Echo, Test Valley Council's southern planning committee voted by ten to nine to refuse planning perm-ission. Councillors would have been overriding their own planning policy if they had given the go-ahead.

But Brendoncare immediately responded by saying that they would apply again for planning permission.

Now, in their battle to win planning approval, they have carried out a massive letter drop to homes in the Valley Park area.

In the letter, Brendoncare's chief executive Ron Staker says: "As a charity we care deeply about older people and believe that a golden opportunity to make a real difference in your community may be lost."

Mr Staker says that the on-site nursing centre will support local hospitals in their struggle with the well-known problem of bed blocking.

"It will play an important part in releasing hospital beds for the whole community.

"In one year alone this could benefit around 470 local people in a typical two-week stay.

"It will help prevent older people from being admitted into hospital and enable others to be discharged earlier from hospital - another real benefit for all."

Mr Staker says that their inquiries have shown that many residents support the scheme.

In a plea to residents, he says: "If you feel strongly we urge you to contact us to let us know your thoughts."