Care home plans moving forward
PLANS for two Nottingham dementia care centres have taken another step forward.
Full planning permissiom has been granted at the Skylarks site in West Bridgford and the final stage of development work at Church Farm Care’s Rusticus site in Cotgrave has now begun.
Patrick Atkinson, owner of Church Farm Care Ltd, which has four Nottingham homes – three of which offer specialist dementia nursing – said: “It’s been an extraordinary and challenging year so far for us – as it has been for care homes up and down the country – but we’re really thrilled to have shovels in the ground for the expansion of our Rusticus home and plans now in place to develop Skylarks even further.”
The work at Rusticus will include alterations to the layout of the existing building – it is the fifth and final phase of the development after upgrades to the reception and staff area, ad well as new balconies.
This phase sees the addition of Hickling Lodge, a state-of-the-art 30-bedroom building with new day lounges, kitchen and laundry.
All bedrooms will be furnished and equipped to the highest standard with full disabled access.
There will also be three detached two-bed assisted living pods, with 24-hour access to nurses and carers, as well as further parking and landscaping - including a walk-through aviary.
The work will also see the development of Socius, a social hub, which will include a cafe, hairdressers and cinema for residents and the community, with completion due in September 2021.
In addition to the work at Rusticus, land has been bought and permision granted for the Skylarks home in West Bridgford.
Last year, over 45 letters and emails were received by Rushcliffe Borough Council in support of its extension, particularly focusing on its hydrotherapy pool. The pool will be used for Skylarks’ residents as well as by schools and community groups.
Mr Atkinson said: “Our ethos is a model of care centred on creating ‘families’ of residents that live together based on their interests, life experiences, and personalities. Our extension plans are not just about creating more comfortable and accessible environments but about helping to integrate family members into the community through features that bring the public into the centre – when they are again allowed to do so, of course.
“The work at Rusticus, for instance, includes additions to the current onsite salon and cinema, with a new cafe that will be open to the public as well as a walkthrough aviary with a snaking path for residents and visitors alike to enjoy.”