Multi-million pound Dudley care home plans 'on hold'
Multi-million pound plans to build two new independent care centres for older residents have been put on on hold partially due to funding.
A deal had been struck between care developer Midland Heart and Dudley Council to build five extra care housing facilities by 2015.
But only three have been built - on the Russells Hall estate in Dudley, Coseley and Cradley - and further schemes are now under review.
Midland Heart spokesman Richard Brooker said: "The plan is for five extra care facilities, however the project is currently 'on-hold'.
"This is so that we can jointly review both the level of demand and necessary funding availability, post the election."
Extra care housing is designed for people to live independently in their own homes but receiving tailored care and health services.
Dudley Council introduced extra care housing as it sought to close existing care homes - a plan which sparked controversy from some campaigners.
More than 5,000 people signed a petition which led to council chiefs overturning plans to close New Bradley hall care home in Kingswinford.
The home is now run by a third party, Black Country Housing Group.
But others such as Tiled House care home, in Pensnett, and Amblecote House have closed.
Work started on the first, called Broad Meadow, off Middlepark Road, on the Russells Hall estate, in 2009.
The £16 million centre opened in a blaze of publicity two years later by former Bond girl and Avengers actress Honor Blackman.
The circular-shaped development of 132 one and two-bedroom apartments, supported by care services for residents.
A second centre opened a few months later called Willowfields, based at Whitehouse Street, Coseley.
The £8 million centre contains 72 apartments alongside a variety of communal facilities.
The former Cradley High School site, near Homer Hill Park, was demolished with the land being used to build the third centre.
Called Lime Gardens, the £16 million centre which has more than 100 apartments, opened its doors in February this year.
Around 60 per cent of the apartments have been taken up so far, according to Midland Heart.
Dudley Council's lead councillor for housing, councillor Gaye Partridge, said: "We intend to have an additional two extra care housing developments in the borough but are unable to give a timescale on this as we first must identify sites which could be suitable for such schemes."
