Castlemead gets planning permission for new care home near Bath

Castlemead Housing and Care Group has received planning permission to build a new 63-bedroom care home on a former hospital site near Bath.

The state-of-the-art home, designed by DWA Architects, will cost £9m and will be managed by two care providers, Porthaven Care Homes, experts in nursing and dementia care, and Beechcroft who are experts in retirement housing.

The south west of England is one of the regions estimated to be hit most severely by challenges of an ageing demographic, something business development director Tony Cole spoke of upon receiving the green light for the project.

He said: ‘There is already a shortage of beds available for those suffering with dementia… it is more important than ever that these facilities are made available in areas such as Bradford on Avon.’

Although the increasing need for care provision may well have been crucial towards the planning application’s success, the Castlemead Group also recognised the need to showcase an innovative and versatile accommodation.

As elderly and dementia care becomes an ever more pressing issue, providers who are able to demonstrate a less rigid approach to care packages are more likely to maintain the confidence of both public and private sector demand.

Work at the former Berryfield Hospital site is due to start in May, with developers aiming to have the facility ready to welcome its first residents by summer 2013, while the Castlemead Group have confirmed their business plan is to continue to seek out opportunities for specialist housing throughout the UK.