Plans for a new state-of-the-art care home for the elderly in Kingswinford have been unveiled as part of millions of pounds worth of investment.

The new home is planned on the current site of New Bradley Hall next to the existing home. Dudley Council saved the home and jobs in an innovative transfer deal with Black Country Housing Group (BCHG), a leading housing association, in February last year.

The not-for-profit organisation has since worked in partnership with the council to continue to provide high quality care for residents at the home.

Now BCHG has unveiled plans to build a brand new 66-bedroom complex to replace New Bradley Hall which is no longer fit for purpose and in need of significant investment.  A planning application has been formally submitted to Dudley Council.

The new building, if approved, will have a modern, purpose built design which will enable more person-centred care for people with dementia. The existing residents would continue to receive high quality care within the home during the construction and then would transfer to the new home once the building work is complete. The existing home would then be demolished under the proposals. BCHG will meet all the costs of the new home. Councillor Qadar Zada, cabinet member for adult social care, said:

“When we saved the home, after years of uncertainty, and transferred jobs across to Black Country Housing Group we made it very clear that the residents of the home must come first in everything that happens there.

"I am delighted that this continues to be the case with this application for a significant investment in their home and care. If planners approve this development it will help create a modern, purpose-built home which meets residents’ every need.”

BCHG has actively consulted with residents, their families and staff on the proposals for a number of months to ensure their views shape the future. Amanda Tomlinson, chief executive, Black Country Housing Group, said:

“We want to build a new, state-of-the-art home which is fit for the future and fully meets the care needs of current and future residents of Dudley. The current building is deteriorating and a new well-designed, contemporary facility would help to improve the wellbeing of existing and new residents. 

“Our residents always come first and we’re committed to making the new home the best it can be – we have been consulting with residents, their families and the wider community and listening to their views and opinions.”

If approved the work is expected to begin on site in early 2017. The proposals for New Bradley Hall follow the recent successful opening of BCHG’s brand new 66-bedroom luxury care home, Gower Gardens, in nearby Halesowen.