City council on Tuesday night approved a site plan allowing Schlegel Villages to start building a long-term care facility on St.Clair College's south campus.

James Schlegel, the president of Schlegel Villages, is pleased and relieved. His company will soon start building the 256-bed facility. Schlegel said construction could be underway within a week.

"We're going to be drawing a building permit from the city very soon," he said. "We'll get the shovel in the ground late this week, early next week."

He said concerns raised by a few homeowners near the St. Clair College site for the most part have been taken care of.

"We've tried to address concerns as best we could and I think the dialogue will continue," Schlegel said. "It was important for us to meet with the neighbours, develop a relationship, because we'll be neighbours for a long, long time to come."

Schlegel isn't the only one relieved that the long term care home will finally be built. The college is, too, according to its spokesman John Fairley.

"What a thrill that this process is over," Fairley said. "I'd say it's really a win for our students and community. We've been through so much on this file."

Schlegel said the $35-million long-term care home will open in the fall of 2014.