£9m purpose-built care home to replace former school building

Work has got underway on a new care home at Barkston Ash, near Tadcaster in North Yorkshire.

The £9m scheme – called Highfield Care Home – is on the former site of Scarthingwell Hall and consists of a 66-bed, two-storey residential care facility being brought forward by Barchester Healthcare Ltd to meet local demand.

Contractor Clegg Construction has been appointed to the project which includes replacing an aging school building currently used to provide residential care facilities with the purpose-built development.

Demolition started on site, with the completed care home forecast for delivery in summer 2023.

Lyndon Bowler, project manager for Clegg Construction, said the facility would provide much-needed, high quality residential care accommodation for the area.

He added: “Barkston Ash is a pretty village in easy reach of Tadcaster, York, and Leeds, and as a result, is a much sought-after destination for both families and retired people.

“However, the existing care facilities were no longer fit for purpose. The building has outlived what could reasonably be expected from a 1960s development with flat roofs and poor insulation.

“It also doesn’t enable residents to get any meaningful benefit from the site’s fantastic location.

“It is for this reason Barchester has decided to redevelop the site, to create high quality facilities that will provide a very high standard of care in a stunning location.”

Once completed, Highfield Care Home will offer a variety of lounge, dining, and communal spaces.