NEW STATE-OF-THE-ART CARE HOME PLANNED
A new state-of-the-art care home for older people is a step closer to becoming a reality at Sherford, following a new agreement between the Sherford Consortium and Mercroft Estates. The chosen site already allows for a care home to be developed – and a detailed planning application is set to be submitted in the coming weeks for a premium quality elderly care facility.
Marking the first care home planned for Sherford, this deal has been agreed between the Sherford Consortium – the partnership of leading homebuilders responsible for the development of the 5,500-home new town, Taylor Wimpey and Vistry Group, which includes Linden Homes, Bovis Homes and Countryside Partnerships – and specialist care developer, Mercroft Estates, which is a joint venture between Mercian Group and Barcroft Estates. Portunus Associates, a specialist healthcare real estate agent is acting for Mercroft Estates.
Occupying a prominent location in the heart of the award-winning new community, the bespoke development will offer 72 spacious bedrooms with en suite wet rooms. Specifically designed around the needs of older people, the care home will offer a range of communal spaces for relaxing and socialising, such as lounges, private dining rooms, a café bar, cinema/activity room and a professional hair and beauty salon.
Early plans show that the care home will follow a contemporary design theme, spread over three floors, set within secure landscaped gardens. Sustainability is key, and the building will be fully electric, with air source heat pumps, PVs (solar panels) and EV charging points, all to provide strong environmental credentials and low running costs.
The care home will come as part of phase 2D of Sherford’s construction, which is currently in progress. Located between Aquila Drive and Clara Way, subject to planning it is hoped that construction will commence in the Spring of 2025, with the facility opening in the Summer of 2026. The new facility is expected to generate a range of job opportunities for the local area.
Richard Harrison from Taylor Wimpey, part of the Sherford Consortium said: “We are delighted to be able to share the news that a care home is planned for Sherford and we are confident that it will be an invaluable addition to the community. The intention is to make quality specialist care available in a modern, high-quality facility. The care home will be an asset to Sherford and the surrounding area, making a real difference to the lives of local people and their families.”
Chris Towers, Director at Mercroft Estates Limited, said: “We are one step closer to creating a quality care home for Sherford which, in turn, will bring much-needed care facilities to the area and create 100 new local jobs. As one of several joint venture care projects we are progressing, we are pleased to partner with the Sherford Consortium and look forward to sharing more details as plans progress.”
Bernard Wynne, Director at Portunus Associates, added: “There is an identified shortfall in high quality care beds in the local area, which this development will help to redress.”
