CM New Developments

Social housing provider, bpha, has announced the completion of a £4.8m extra care housing scheme for elderly and disabled people in Trowbridge, Wiltshire. Florence Court, which will be managed by the Orders of St John Care Trust, has 40, two bedroom extra care flats for the elderly, two, three bedroom supported living bungalows for people with learning disabilities, plus social, recreation and medical treatment facilities. The scheme, which was constructed by Leadbitter Group, replaces a Wiltshire council hostel which had been on the site since the 1960s.

Priory Group has opened Priory Pines House near Darlington in County Durham, a facility providing care, education and therapy for boys and girls who have complex psychological difficulties, sexually inappropriate behaviour and associated learning requirements. Based at the Priory Middleton St George hospital, the service will accept up to 16 young people aged between seven and 19 from across the UK requiring this very specialist type of care. Eight places are available on 52-week a year residential basis while the other eight are daycare/education or respite only. Priory is also investing around £1m in educational facilities at a second North East site. Hurworth House, Darlington, will provide day school facilities for up to 35 young people with special educational needs and will open later in the year.

Northamptonshire county council has approved a plan to purchase a former housing office at Weston Favell which it will convert into specialist accommodation for adults with learning disabilities. The purchase and conversion, estimated at approximately £800,000, will be funded from the proceeds of the authority selling former facilities Shire Lodge and the Nene Centre (acquired by St Andrew’s Hospital in December 2010).

Choice Care Group is nearing completion of a new residential care home for individuals with a mental health disorder or complex needs in Bitterne, Southampton. Chesham House on West End Road, will provide support and therapeutic input to eight service users as they move on from hospital and continue in their rehabilitation and settle back in to community living. The new home is expected to be fully operational by the end of summer and is currently recruiting for new members of staff who will work under home manager Jon Bartlett.

Expressions of interest for the five home provider Ascot Care Homes Limited, taken into administration earlier this year, have been strong according to business agent Christie + Co. Offers for the fully-managed care homes, either on a single site or whole group basis, were sought before a deadline of 28 April. The portfolio consists of Ashlea House, Stirlingshire (25-beds); Mountview House, Stirlingshire (26-beds); Pinewood Lodge, Stirlingshire (25-beds); Drumpark House, Stirling (24-beds) and Belvedere Lodge, West Yorkshire (22-beds). The sale focuses on the leasehold interests of the homes, however offers for the freeholds on the three Stirlingshire homes and Wakefield site will be considered.

Community Care Market News (News) May 2000 GVA Grimley has launched its dedicated healthcare website, www.gvahealthcare.com, containing a listing of nursing and...

Community Care Market News (News) August 1999 Help the Aged has published a report which argues that current housing and support services...