Former care home in Portsmouth demolished to make way for up to 60 new dementia apartments
A FORMER care home has been demolished to make way for a new ‘state of the art’ extra care development.
Portsmouth City Council has now taken down Edinburgh House, in Cosham, to create space for up to self-contained apartments for people living with dementia.
It comes after approval was given in 2018 for the home, as well as Hilsea Lodge in Gatcombe Drive, to be demolished to ‘meet the needs’ of the city.
As previously reported, residents of both homes had moved out by September last year.
Councillor Matthew Winnington, cabinet member for health, wellbeing and social care, believed the new scheme would encourage the independence of its residents.
‘It's good to see work has started to clear the way for these much needed facilities,’ he said.
‘One of the most important things we can do is to offer a range of accommodation so that we can be flexible enough to meet the needs of people living in Portsmouth.
‘I'm just glad that the first step of the process is completed and we can now move forward with providing the high quality, modern buildings people need.’
Project manager Andy Elder added: ‘This is the first development of its kind that the council has built.
‘It will be a great place for people living with dementia to live and will give independence of lifestyle to its residents.’
Subject to funding and planning permission it is hoped that work could start on the new development in 2021.
It is thought construction would take around 20 months to complete.