Owen Paterson MP assisted by the Mayor of Whitchurch Cllr Doris Ankers, used a commemorative spade to celebrate the start of construction of a 75 bed care home being built for Coverage Care in Whitchurch, Shropshire by Castlemead.

  
When it is opens early in 2010, the new care home, which still needs a name, will employ 100 staff and have 75 individual en-suite bedrooms with the latest facilities to support older people who require nursing care and may have special needs arising from Dementia.

Welcoming the start of construction, Owen Paterson MP for North Shropshire said: “With the anticipated increase in the number of older people needing places in care homes, I am delighted to be asked to support this project which will provide additional care facilities and create new opportunities for employment in the centre of Whitchurch.”

Councillor Doris Ankers, Mayor of Whitchurch added: “The redevelopment of the former industrial area in Liverpool Road with new housing and now a care home is most welcome and I know the residents of Whitchurch appreciate the investment in new care facilities being made by Coverage Care.”

Chief Executive of Coverage Care, David Coull said: “We are privileged to be able to provide care for older people and our care home in Whitchurch will set new standards of accommodation and care for residents in need of nursing and specialised care, provided in a safe and homely environment.”

The new care home will have a domestic ambience, enhanced by the building façade which is designed to blend-in with the surrounding homes, by dividing the two storey building into smaller domestic sized modules, using different roof lines, gables and dormer windows to create a complimentary street scene.

Speaking for DWA Architects, Andrew Lockyer said: “We wanted to ensure that the new home will amalgamate itself within the existing setting, to be more in keeping with a private residence than a traditional care home, borrowing from the eclectic mix of architectural styles to be found in the local area.”

The design has 4 residential wings with a central communal area, private courtyard, landscaping and dedicated car parking for staff and visitors. Work has commenced on the Liverpool Road site under the direction of the main contractor, Castlemead Developments Ltd from Wrexham, who specialise in construction projects for the healthcare sector. 

Developer and main contractor, Castlemead Developments Limited have worked closely with Coverage Care to secure a site and agree terms for the delivery of the new turn-key scheme.  Castlemead Director, Joe O'Donnell said: " We are looking forward to completing this project and to providing our client Coverage Care with a specialist 21st Century care home".

Mr Coull concluded: “As a leading not for profit care company, we are proud of our investment record in new care facilities like this new care home in Whitchurch, one of 15 care centres we operate in Shropshire, will enhance our ability to provide specialist care for older people, in particular for those with dementia”.

Pictured L to R, Owen Paterson MP and the Mayor of Whitchurch Cllr Doris Ankers celebrate the start of construction of a new £6.5 million care 75 bed care home with David Coull, Chief Executive of Coverage Care which owns and will operate the new home on Liverpool Road in Whitchurch