The first residents have moved into Marsh Farm Manor, as the 66-bed Royal Wootton Bassett care home is officially open for business.

After several years of battling for planning permission, Anchor say they are delighted to finally be able to welcome residents to their purpose-built home based in Coped Hall.

The new luxury care home boasts wet rooms, a hair and beauty salon, lounges, coffee areas, quiet spaces and private landscaped gardens with seating areas.

On top of all this, over 80 per cent of the care home's roof will be fitted with solar panels, in an attempt to become carbon neutral.

84-year-old Margaret Pippard, who previously lived with her daughter and son-in-law, was the very first resident to try out the luxury lifestyle.

“I love the sense of community here, it’s like I have got two families now,” she said.

The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald: Jean and Margaret have become the best of friends.Jean and Margaret have become the best of friends. (Image: Anchor)

Margaret has been a part of the local community her whole life, having worked in Bambergers Swindon, the post office and at the Science and Technology Facilities Council in Swindon.

For her, the new addition of Marsh Farm Manor has provided the opportunity to stay close to home and still feel a part of her community.

Located at Coped Hall, a site of major development, the new care home is next to Aldi and the incoming Lidl that has been approved and is just a 15-minute drive from Swindon.

Wiltshire Council approved the application for the care home in June 2019 but concerns about drainage issues in the location along with a global pandemic meant that Anchor has faced difficulty getting the place up and running.

The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald: The opening of Marsh Farm Manor was a significant milestone for Anchor.The opening of Marsh Farm Manor was a significant milestone for Anchor. (Image: Anchor)

Now Jean Deacon, who was also among the first three to move into Marsh Farm Manor, has praised the location of the care home which was widely debated in the planning process.

The 87-year-old has a strong family network including grandchildren and great-grandchildren who now are able to visit her regularly.

“I am delighted our first residents have settled in so well and we look forward to welcoming many more in the days and weeks ahead,” said Marie Cranfield, home manager for Anchor’s Marsh Farm Manor.

“We are priding ourselves on the atmosphere we are creating and the sense of community that everyone feels here – it is lovely to be surrounded by so many smiling faces.”