PLANS to turn a bungalow into a day centre to help elderly people with dementia have been unveiled.

The bid has been submitted to Rochford Council to change the use of a bungalow in Victoria Drive, Great Wakering, into The Victoria Wellbeing Centre. If approved, it would cater for up to ten people.

The plans include changes to the bungalow, with rooms in a traditional residential style including dining rooms and a lounge.

Specific care would be offered for people aged over 55, inluding those who live with Alzheimer’s and dementia and will also have wheelchair access.

The plans are for ten patients but bosses say they will begin with eight to make sure the centre runs smoothly, with one qualified carer for every four people using the centre, and another paid member of staff for general duties.

There would be a sensory room, to help those who cannot communicate through speech or have sight and hearing impairments.

Another room would be a designated “quiet room” for people who need to be in a tranquil environment to prevent mental stress and aggressive behaviour.

The application states: “The proposed plans are the result of many years of both personal and professional involvement of living with dementia. Support for elderly people living with a wide variety of health conditions and their often unprepared home carers is in great demand and unfortunately not matched by supply in the Rochford district.”

Concerns have been raised by Great Wakering residents that the introduction of a day centre would cause severe congestion problems.

Critics Frank Wheeler, who lives in Victoria Drive, said: “The bungalow is at the bottom of a dead end road with no space for vehicles to turn around in.

“The road is already heavily congested with vehicles parked on the pavement. Emergency vehicles that are lucky enough to drive down on a good day would have major problems trying to drive out. With carers cars and visitors and family arriving on a daily basis it would cause major problems.” For the council to even consider this in my mind is extremely foolish.”

The plans will be decided by Rochford Council at a later date.