A new 84-bedroom care home could be built on Marlow Hill in High Wycombe if new plans are given the green light.

Care UK says it wants to address the "pressing local need" for care home accommodation by building close to Wycombe Hospital on the A404, the main route into the town from the M40.

If given the go-ahead, the care home would be on the site of 16, 18, 20 and 22 Marlow Hill - four large detached homes that currently have large gardens.

These would be bulldozed and their driveways closed off in favour of a "modern" care home which would be staffed 24 hours a day.

There would be 84 en-suite bedrooms and 32 parking spaces including two disabled bays, an ambulance bay and a delivery bay.

The building would be split into two levels and would have a "contemporary" appearance with flat roof and terraces.

On the ground floor, there will be communal spaces including a hairdresser, gym, cafe and cinema as well as facilities on each floor for those who are less mobile - including lounges, dining rooms and day rooms.

There will be 15 bedrooms on the ground floor with patios, 28 on the first floor, 28 on the second and 13 on the third floor.

Staff will be encouraged to walk to work instead of driving, Care UK said in planning documents submitted to Buckinghamshire Council.

Care UK currently provides care and support services for more than 7,000 older people in more than 100 nursing and care homes.

The company already runs Catherine Court Care Home in Cressex, which is rated good.

Care UK said: "Care UK seek to address the pressing local need for additional care home accommodation and to improve the overall quality of care and support that can be provided to the residents of High Wycombe, improving quality of life and wellbeing and promoting independence.

"Research carried out by Care UK indicates that there is both an existing and predicted demand for new care home facilities within an appropriate catchment area of the site and a shortfall of care beds that meet users expectations and requirements."

View the full plans online by searching 20/06650/FUL at the www.wycombe.gov.uk planning portal.