Plans finalised for former Wellington care home site
Telford & Wrekin Council has announced plans to redevelop the former Farcroft care home site in Wellington. The council owns the site on North Road and has finalised a business case for a new-build extra care facility for older people with dementia.
The scheme remains subject to planning approval but is designed to provide self-contained accommodation with access to 24/7 care. Residents will also have access to communal areas, allowing them to live as independently as possible in a safe and supportive environment.
Council officials noted that the nature of these facilities helps to minimise traffic to and from the site. The new plan reflects Farcroft’s previous use, as it provided care for older people before it closed. Following the closure, the council worked with the then owners to help residents find alternative accommodation before acquiring the site for the community.
The existing buildings are currently empty and have become a target for anti-social behaviour. These structures are now set to be demolished as a first step towards bringing the site back into use.
While the council explored refurbishing the current buildings, they found that a new purpose-built facility was more cost-effective. Modern standards and accessibility requirements meant that a rebuild was the best way to future-proof the site.
The number of people with dementia in Telford & Wrekin is expected to reach 2,700 by 2030, creating an urgent need for this type of housing.
Councillor Paul Watling, Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care & Health Systems, said: “I’m delighted that the Council is planning to invest in redeveloping this important site in Wellington which will create a new high quality facility, enabling local people who have lived in the area all their life to remain living well in the heart of the community.”
He added: “It also addresses a shortage of dementia care facilities that we have in the Borough.”
The council has been working with local ward members on the project and intends to share further details in due course.
