Specialist care scheme planned for site of Birmingham nursing home

THE site of a former nursing home in Birmingham is set to be converted into a specialist care facility for vulnerable young adults.

HB Villages Developments is proposing to build 28 specialised supported living apartments in a two and three storey block on the site of the former Bancroft House nursing home, College Road, Kingstanding.

A design statement prepared by Manchester-based Peter Brett Associates outlines how the scheme will work.

The proposal is to build high quality specialised accommodation for vulnerable adults with disabilities, with the facility being managed and operated by Inclusion Housing and Lifeways.

The applicant has already liaised with Birmingham City Council prior to the scheme being submitted in order to confirm that the local authority would support the principle of the development.

HB Villages is a leading developer of specialised supported living accommodation for such adults. It is also the delivery partner for Lifeways (which provides on-site support) and Inclusion Housing (which operates and manages the properties).

Lifeways is one of the UK’s leading providers of support services for people with a range of diverse needs. Non-profit organisation Inclusion specialises in supported housing. Buildings managed by Inclusion are specifically designed to provide the most up-to-date specialist care and the Kingstanding scheme has been designed to include a comprehensive integrated Adaptive Technology package to cater for people with very specific requirements.

The overall aim is to increase each person’s independence over time and reduce the amount of support needed, trying new things or moving to more independent accommodation.

The site was previously occupied by Bancroft Hose, which has since closed and been demolished. The land is now clear to be re-used.

The surrounding area is mainly residential, with a range of amenities nearby. The apartments would be housed in a block ranging from two storeys towards the centre of the site to three storeys to the southern edge fronting onto Dean Close.

The one-bedroom apartments will be fully self-contained although there will be a staffing area on-site to provide 24-hour back up support.