First look at care apartments planned to replace Stourbridge's Arena nightclub
This is what new care apartments could look like if plans to demolish an old Stourbridge nightclub are approved.
Cinnamon Care has submitted a proposal to build the 34 ‘extra care’ flats in place of the Arena nightclub on Hagley Road, as part of a wider £20 million retirement village proposal for the area.
Last month, the company announced it had purchased the property for an undisclosed fee with the intention of building the apartments, intended for the over 55s in need of specialist care.
Work is currently ongoing on the site adjacent to the nightclub for Cinnamon Care’s new Parkfield Grange Home, which is due to open in May.
Bosses said the flats would provide a social link to the development.
If Dudley Council planners approve the latest scheme, the nightclub will be torn down and a total of 34 one and two-bedroom apartments, as well as a restaurant built on the site.
Across the two sites, shared facilities will include a cinema, hair and beauty salon, communal gardens, a restaurant and a cafe bar.
Dozens of new jobs will also be created in the retirement village.
In the application, Cinnamon Care’s planning agents Harris Irwin said: “The proposal is to demolish the former Arena nightclub which stands adjacent to a newly built Cinnamon care home, and to build 34 Extra Care apartments offering independent living accommodation for people aged 55+ who require additional specialist care.
“The proposals include central communal facilities and a large open garden intended to perform as a social link with the care home, encouraging social interactivity to promote a sense of communal well-being.
“The apartments will be managed by Cinnamon and will provide residents with care packages on an individual needs basis.
“The home will be registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC) and will provide a high quality of life for residents.
“Cinnamon is a care provider specialising in bespoke accommodation for the elderly with a range of care needs.
“The design intent of this proposal is to provide specialist apartments in close proximity of a Cinnamon Care home, offering residents a sense of continuity, comfort and independence while being close at all times to a caring community and a specialist care support team.
“Providing for a more diverse range of care needs within a single location eases and reduces transitions, prevents isolation and loneliness, and adds to a general sense of community and well-being.”
They added they have been working with Dudley Council planning officers, seeking advice on the scheme and amended plans to address concerns, including a lack of parking spaces and landscaping to the street.
They also said the location, about half a mile from Stourbridge town centre, was close to good public transport links.
