Plans to build staff accommodation at a Fortescue care home have been refused as it could not demonstrate ‘essential need’ for the development.

Holmesley Nursing Home bosses said the three bedrooms would come in useful when – in order to deliver 24-hour care for the 50 residents – temporary staff have to be recruited from outside the area, or in periods of bad weather.

The application said the single-storey block would take the place of a mobile home that has been used for a similar purpose, but has become unserviceable. Bosses at the home said the location of the new building would mean it would be ‘virtually unseen’ and would not overlook any neighbours.

But East Devon District Council planning officers said the applicant had failed to demonstrate an ‘essential need’ for the new accommodation when Sidmouth and Sidford are nearby. They said it would alter the undeveloped character of that area of the site.

Councillors followed the officers’ advice to refuse the application.