Ten out of ten planning approvals for new Suffolk care homes

Company news

Apr 03, 2014

Care UK’s £60 million investment to provide better care for older people in Suffolk has taken a big step forward, with planning permission granted for all ten new care home and wellbeing centre developments.

The final stage of the three year project, to replace the existing Glastonbury Court care home on Glastonbury Road, Bury St Edmunds, was granted approval by St Edmundsbury Borough Council on 3^rd April.

Chris Hopkinson, Care UK Regional Operations Director, said: “We are thrilled to achieve ten out of ten planning approvals for our new developments which directly address Suffolk County Council’s vision for high quality, purpose-built facilities for nursing and residential older people’s care.

“Our partnership with Suffolk County Council began in December 2012 and since then construction has begun and is progressing well on eight of our new developments with six due to open later this year. This is an exciting time for us and we are delighted that the approval of Glastonbury Court completes our project aim.”

Councillor Alan Murray, Cabinet Member for Health and Adult Care at Suffolk County Council, said: “Securing planning permission for the tenth new home marks a real milestone in our commitment to making sure the people of Suffolk can access high quality care in purpose built facilities. With Davers Court due to open later this year and Glastonbury Court expected to welcome residents from late 2015, people in and around Bury St Edmunds can be reassured that, should they need long term specialist care, the necessary facilities will be there for them.”  

The Glastonbury Court development is the second new care home and wellbeing centre for Bury St Edmunds, following Davers Court on Shakers Lane in the town, which is due to open in August 2014. Work on the new Glastonbury Court development by Care UK’s construction partner Castleoak is scheduled to begin in September 2014, and is due to open in November 2015.

The design of the new Glastonbury Court care home, which will accommodate up to 80 residents, is spacious, light and airy with many communal areas for residents to meet with family, friends and fellow residents. The bedrooms are generously-sized with ensuite shower facilities and to give a homely feel, small groups of residents will share their own dining room and lounge. The new home also has a garden and outside seating areas, plus attractive facilities including a café, hairdressers and small cinema.

The wellbeing centre will offer a range of day clubs, activities and specialist care including services for those with dementia and other progressive illnesses. It is hoped the new facilities will help older people to maintain their independence for longer in their own homes and provide valuable respite services for family carers.

Residents at the existing Glastonbury Court will have a number of different options, including the opportunity to move into the new Davers Court care home when it opens, after which construction on the new Glastonbury Court will begin. All residents and their relatives are being closely consulted on the plans.

By 2016 Care UK’s ten new homes and ten wellbeing centres will have replaced all Suffolk County Council’s existing care home and wellbeing centres, which date mainly from the 1960s and 1970s. The sites that are no longer needed will be returned to the Council.

For further information visit www.careuk.com/suffolk-new-homes or call 0333 321 0956.