Work starts on new care home in Chelmsley Wood

Building work has started on a brand new residential and nursing home in Chelmsley Wood.

Working alongside Solihull Council and the North Solihull Partnership, Runwood Homes Group will be building and then running the 73 bed home for older people with dementia – which should be open towards the end of next year.

Solihull Council will commission a ten year block contract to occupy all of the beds in the new home, meaning that local people will have greater access to affordable care in the future.

Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care and Health, Councillor Karen Grinsell who visited the site this week said: “It’s fantastic to see work starting on site on what will be an exemplar scheme; bringing much needed, high quality care facilities to local people.

“I look forward to seeing the site develop.”

The new home will be located within Chelmund’s Cross Village Centre. The centre, part funded by the European Regional Development Fund, includes the £10m Bishop Wilson School, a new Enterprise Centre providing office space for small and new start-up businesses, as well as a new medical centre, dental practice, pharmacy and retail units.

The creation of the care home will mark the final phase of the Chelmund’s Cross Village Centre development which has seen £22m of investment so far.

Gordon Sanders, Chief Executive of Runwood Homes said: “From the outset we want the village community to feel part of what will be happening.

“They can contribute to naming the home and we will be keen to talk with local tradesmen about any role they might play during construction.

“As we approach opening there will be employment opportunities, including apprenticeships in care.”

CBRE advised Solihull Council on the sale of the one acre site to Runwood.

Caroline Mitchell-Sanders, a director in CBRE’s regeneration and development advisory team, said: “As well as delivering vital care, the Runwood scheme will bring new jobs to the area and forms a vital part of the new Village Centre for Chelmund’s Cross.

“It’s great to see the development underway.”

For further information: www.northsolihull.co.uk

Picture: Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care and Health, Councillor Karen Grinsell on the site of the Chelmund’s Cross new care home with Decklyn Connolly from Runwood Homes Group.