Sue Brain is one of the residents who will be re-housed

Monnow Court in Monmouth is currently home to six people with physical disabilities, but the residents are moving out and the building is to be demolished to make way for the new development.

The unique joint health and social care facility will give people leaving hospital medical attention such as physiotherapy and offer other services such as an on-site pharmacy.

The scheme, estimated to cost �5 million to develop, could be open by 2005.

It is the first time all the services needed by people have been concentrated under one roof.

It means the end of the care home currently housed in Monnow Court, but the six residents are moving on to a futuristic homes complex build nearby.

Six bungalows are under construction using the latest environmentally-friendly techniques and are expected to be ready by Christmas.

The residents, who will move into the new complex, have been consulted throughout the planning exercise.

It is going to offer a seamless service to people Council spokesman

One of the people who will be moving from the Monnow Court site is 64-year-old Alan Mees.

"I am really chuffed we are going to be moving to the bungalows although I am a bit sad that Monnow Court is going to be demolished because I have been here for 23 years," he said.

"It will be nice to have a bit more privacy and hopefully I will be able to have more visitors because I have three daughters and don't see them as much as I would like.

"It will be nice to have my own place," he added.

Tenders

The residents will still be supported by a team of carers and the day care facilities will be offered at alternative sites.

A spokesman for Monmouthshire council, which is pioneering the scheme, said that the tenders were out for the work on the new health and social care facility.

"It is going to offer a seamless service to people," he said.

"All the needs of people who use it will be on offer there.

"It is a joint initiative between the health and social care services and is the first one in Wales," he added.