Work begins on site of £16m care ‘village’
SITE clearance is under way in Birkdale for a £16m development for care village operator Belong.
The work follows the appointment of North West construction company Pochin as main contractor.
Once completed, the development in Oxford Road will provide accommodation for more than 100 people and will feature a 74-bed “village” divided into six households and providing 24-hour care and nursing support.
The scheme will also offer 30 one and two-bedroom independent living apartments, together with a range of facilities open to the public, including a bistro, hair salon, exercise studio and function rooms.
Belong Birkdale will be the eighth multi-million pound development in the region for the not-for-profit group, which operates villages in Warrington, Wigan, Crewe, Macclesfield, Atherton, Didsbury and Newcastle-under Lyme.
It is known for its specialist dementia care and its village model has been designed to provide maximum engagement with local communities.
The deputy chief executive of Belong, Tracy Paine, said: “I’m excited to see work under way to clear the older buildings on the site to enable construction to commence on what will be our first coastal development.
“Birkdale is a perfect location for Belong and I’m confident that we can create something of real benefit to the local community, as well as providing the high quality care services for our customers, for which we are recognised in the care sector.”
Freddie Richards, investment director at Octopus Healthcare, a developer and manager of healthcare properties, said: “We are delighted to be forming a long-term partnership with Belong, whose pioneering household and community led approach to elderly care has a proven track record of success.
“The facility in Birkdale will be of great benefit to the local community and we look forward to supporting the team in its delivery.”