Plans for care site to become dementia facility

Telford and Wrekin Council hopes to redevelop a former care home site into an extra care facility for older people with dementia.

The authority owns the Farcroft site on North Road in Wellington, which it said was now empty and a target for anti-social behaviour.

It would include self-contained accommodation, with access of 24/7 care and communal areas, with the council saying it would help meet the growing need for accommodation and care services for people living with the condition.

The scheme is subject to planning approval and, if approved, the site would be demolished first.

The authority said it had explored reconfiguring the layout and improving accessibility, but it would not be as cost effective as a new purpose-built and future-proof facility.

It added that the number of people with dementia in Telford and Wrekin was expected to reach 2,700 by 2030.

"I'm delighted that the council is planning to invest in redeveloping this important site in Wellington which will create a new high quality facility, enabling local people who have lived in the area all their life to remain living well in the heart of the community," said councillor Paul Watling, cabinet member for adult social care and health systems.

"It also addresses a shortage of dementia care facilities that we have in the borough.

"We have been working closely with local councillors Paul Davis and Graham Cook and we want to reassure residents that we are fully committed to bringing this site back into use as part of our commitment to create a better borough, and we look forward to sharing further details in due course," he added.

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