Halesowen care home to be replaced with £5m complex for elderly - creating 42 new jobs

Shenstone Care Home in Kent Road in Halesowen was closed by Dudley Council three years ago because it was not fit for purpose.

All 31 residents were moved out and 51 staff members redeployed within the council's care service.

Now Black Country Housing Group has unveiled plans to knock down the 1960s 44-bed building and build a new one.

The group says the centre will feature a three-storey 66-bed care home, including a number of rooms specifically adapted for people living with dementia, and six bungalows for independent living.

Robyn Webster, spokesman for Black Country Housing Group, said: "Dudley Council has expressed that there is a need for high quality dementia care in the borough and this is representative of the UK as a whole.

"Black Country Housing Group has a strong record of delivering these services in Dudley and operates six sheltered schemes.

"It also manages the supported living services for people with learning disabilities to a very high standard.

"It is now committed to increasing care provision in the borough by developing the Shenstone scheme."

She added: "Although the Shenstone site includes a 44-bed care home, this has not been in use for a number of years due to not meeting the minimum requirement for care homes.

"Black Country Housing Group is proposing to demolish the existing building and build a new 66-bed state-of-the-art facility which will replace the current structure."

The firm says the new home will cost more than £5 million.

The bungalows will be for people aged over 55 and will be a mix of two and three-bedroom homes.

The care home will be guarded by a 24-hour surveillance team.

It will create 42 jobs, including 22 care workers.

Halesowen ward Councillor Alan Taylor said: "My first reaction was the plans looked good, it could bring to life an area which is in derelict for two or three years, it can only be good.

"Having all the care there for people, the jobs created. I'm happy with what I've seen so far."

He added: "I wasn't keen on the care home closing because we need all the help we can get for elderly care. "This will regenerate the area."

Dudley Council made the decision to close the care home as money was poured into five retirement villages across the borough, providing around 600 flats for older people.

They included a £16 million scheme at Russells Hall with 132 apartments and a £8 million project in Coseley - both run by Midland Heart.

New Bradley Hall in Kingswinford is the only care home still in the hands of Dudley Council, but is in the process of being transferred to Black Country Housing Group.