Site clearance is underway in Birkdale, Merseyside, prior to the construction of the latest £16 million state-of-the-art development on behalf of care village operator, Belong. This follows the appointment of North West construction company, Pochin, as main contractor.
Once completed, the new development will provide high-specification accommodation for over 100 people and will feature a 74-bed village, divided into six households, providing 24-hour care and nursing support. In addition, the village will 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 North West for the not-for-profit organisation, which currently operates villages in Warrington, Wigan, Crewe, Macclesfield, Atherton, Didsbury and Newcastle-under Lyme. It is known for its industry-leading, specialist dementia care and its village model has been designed to provide maximum engagement with local communities.
Deputy chief executive of Belong, Tracy Paine, is pleased to have Pochin on board and is looking forward to completion, as the organisation expands its operation. She commented: “I’m excited to see work underway 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 UK-leading investor, developer and manager of healthcare properties and part of the Octopus Group, 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.”
