Designs for a £6million care home in Whitehaven have been criticised by Copeland Council.

Plans have been submitted by Cumbria County Council to build a 60-bed home on the former Sekers factory site at Hensingham. The home on the currently derelict site would feature one central communal block and three separate wings.

Members of Copeland Council's planning panel met last week, and although they have given their backings to the proposals, some concern has been raised about its "poor design". Councillors have agreed that a "strong letter" be sent to the county council about the designs.

The county council will make the final decision, but Copeland was being consulted for its views.

Nick Hayhurst, Copeland's senior planning officer, said the home would be available for people suffering from dementia and those with a high dependency.

Mr Hayhurst said: "The only issue we have, as officers, is the design of the building. The site is a gateway into the town.

"It's disappointing that in this council we have no engagement with Cumbria County Council on the design.

"The design that has been put forward is a generic design that have been put forward elsewhere."

He asked councillors to "consider whether the benefits of providing a new care home to meet an identified need and also developing a brownfield site that is currently detracting from this part of town outweighs the poor form and design of the building proposed".

Planning chairman, Mike McVeigh, said: "It is a highly visible site and we want something that looks right."

Councillors praised the county council's current homes in Copeland –Brackenthwaite and Pow Beck (both Whitehaven), Castle Mount (Egremont) and Dentholme (Cleator Moor) – that will close and their residents and staff transfer when the new care home is built. If planning permission is given, the home is expected to take 18 months to build.

The county council adds that the new-build plans would improve the quality of care available for those with conditions like dementia, while those with less complex needs will be cared for in their own homes.