THE former Anzac House nursing home in Devizes has been reduced to rubble but a new 66 bed centre for the elderly is set to be built on the site in London Road.

Wiltshire Council sold the 1.5 acre site which had housed a care home for 30 people until it closed in 2015 to LNT Care Developments by Colliers International of Bristol in June after planning permission for the new centre was agreed.

Toby Sturgis, who at the time was cabinet member for property at Wiltshire Council said: "“I am pleased we are able to move forward with development at this site. All of the money from the sale of these buildings is being invested in local communities to provided improved facilities and services across the county.

“Those previously at the care home which was in need of modernisation are now resettled in a new care home built by the Order of St John in Devizes.”

A spokesman for the new owners said, “We’re really pleased to be able to bring this much needed facility to the community in Devizes. LNT Care Developments specialises in constructing care facilities that are designed to enable the delivery of quality care for the future residents.

“Utilising best practice dementia design, in quality modern surroundings, we have ensured that our plan for the former Anzac House site reflects the needs of its users and will aid them to live as independently as possible for as long as possible.

“Once complete, the 66 bed care home will be a strong community facility, integrating with the nearby local facilities of shops, churches and schools. It will provide outstanding accommodation with fully en-suite bedrooms, spacious communal areas, and state-of-the-art amenities including a cinema, library, garden room and tea shop, all surrounded by beautifully landscaped gardens.”

But there is less positive news for the former Avonmead care home in Canal Way, Devizes which announced it was closing last December.

It remains empty and Four Seasons Health Care says it is now longer involved with the building. A spokesman said: "The future of the premises of the former Avonmead Care Home is nothing to do with Four Seasons Health Care. The homes was leased and following closure it was returned to the landlord."

Attempts by the Gazette to contact landlord London Bruchmen Number 3 Ltd went unanswered.