Care company resonds to Oswestry Council’s objection to new care home
Coverage Care’s plans to invest £8.9m and create 50 new jobs in Oswestry could be in jeopardy as a consequence of the reported objections to the proposal to build a new care home in Shrewsbury Road.
Chief Executive of Coverage Care David Coull said: “We are surprised and massively disappointed by the reported objection to the development of the Shrewsbury Road site.”
“The proposed site has been carefully selected for the new home and we have received positive support for our proposal to invest in Oswestry, in particular from the Oswestry Health Group”.
“The objection to the development of the site on Shrewsbury Road is based on the suggested historic use of the ground for recreation purposes but this plot has been earmarked for development for employment purposes by the council.”
“The increasing proportion of older people living in the Oswestry area is putting pressure on places in existing care homes, including Fairholme which we operate on behalf of Shropshire Council.”
“As a not for profit organisation, we exist to provide a full range of community services for older people and we are committed to investing in Shropshire.”
“Having studied the options, our preferred solution is to build the new home on a vacant site located on Shrewsbury Road in Oswestry. This will allow us to offer a range of nursing and care services in a modern environment under one roof but still within easy reach of the town centre.”
“The location of a new care home is very important for the residents, their families and the staff who work there. From experience, we know that the situation of a care home must be convenient for all concerned and that the outlook should be pleasant; after all why should the location of a care home for our older people be a secondary consideration?” added Mr Coull.
If planning approval is successful, the proposed two-storey home will have 88 large en-suite bedrooms, with two 22 bed wings on each floor, each with its own lounge and dining area, sharing communal rooms and a private garden area to the rear of the building.
Coverage Care currently operates 16 care centres in Shropshire and Telford & Wrekin, all on a not for profit basis. The company employs 800 staff and provides a range of care services for more than1600 mainly older people.
