Multi-million pound care village scheme set to create 140 jobs

Manchester-based structural engineering specialist TRP Consulting has won a contract to help deliver a multi-million pound care village in Chester which is set to create 140 jobs.

The state-of-the-art facility is being developed by care provider Belong and is the latest in a series of projects TRP’s team has been involved in for the not-for-profit organisation based in Nantwich.

Belong Chester, on City Road, will provide dementia care as well as a range of amenities for the wider community.

The development, which recently received planning permission, will comprise six households, with 72 suites and three guest bedrooms in total, along with 23 one-and two-bedroom apartments for independent living.

Its village centre will host a hub of facilities including a gym, bistro, hair salon and therapy rooms.

The Chester scheme is the latest in a growing list of Belong care village projects across the UK that TRP Consulting has helped deliver. They include Belong Birkdale, a village being created near the famous Open golf course on the Lancashire coast.

The new Birkdale village, near Southport, will provide accommodation for more than 100 people.

TRP Consulting has also worked to deliver Belong Warrington and was involved in the development of the organisation’s newly-opened Didsbury facility.

The Chester development is Belong’s first city centre project. Construction work on it and Birkdale is set to start later this year, with a 2019 opening planned for both.

These latest care villages in Belong’s portfolio have been designed Altrincham-based architects Pozzoni.

TRP Consulting director Geoff Wilks said: “We have a long and successful relationship with Belong, working on state-of-the-art care facilities and accommodation in communities across the UK and these developments are the latest chapters in the organisation’s impressive and continuing growth story.

“Belong is committed to delivering high-quality services and the Chester and Birkdale villages have been designed by Pozzoni to incorporate the best principles of dementia-friendly design.”

He added: “The care and health sector is a strong growth area for us. We’ve seen a steady increase in work over the past few years as the need for high quality care services and accommodation for older people continues to rise.”

The Chester project is set to create 140 new jobs, including support workers, nurses and catering staff.

Tracy Paine, operations director for Belong, said: “We anticipate making a significant contribution to the city’s provision of high quality services for people with dementia, both for people living in the village and the wider community.”

TRP Consulting is currently part of the design and construction team that is delivering a 154 room hotel at Doncaster Racecourse – home of the world’s oldest ‘classic’ horse race The St Leger.

It has also been appointed to help deliver the first phase of the £20m redevelopment of Newbury Racecourse.