WORCESTER’S MP has marked the start of a new multi-million pound care development in the city by planting a commemorative tree.
Work is now well underway on the £22million Sanctuary Grove scheme off Bromyard Road which is set to care for 160 elderly people when it opens next Spring.
The project, which is being funded by Sanctuary and the Homes and Communities Agency, will be made up of a 60-bed care home, the same number of extra care units and a mix of 40 close care apartments and bungalows.
Robin Walker MP joined Sanctuary and its partners on Friday, January 24 to learn more about the development and celebrate the start of the construction by planting a young English oak tree.
Mr Walker said: “I was delighted to formally mark the start of the works on site today by planting a tree at Sanctuary Grove, the Group’s largest care development in Worcester to date.
“This is a key investment for our local area and one that people of all ages will benefit from.
“The scheme will support opportunities for work experience, for apprentices, and also for experienced workers to gain employment.
“It will benefit the service users, who can access a flexible care model which adapts to their changing needs and it adds much needed housing for the elderly, which in turn can free up family housing elsewhere in the city.”
The development forms part of a wider scheme on the site by the University of Worcester which will include a Health & Wellbeing campus, a Business and Enterprise campus and a University Learning campus.
Peter Martin, Sanctuary’s group director of development, added: “This is a key development for Sanctuary and we have high expectations for the scheme, not only in terms of the quality care and accommodation it will provide for people in Worcester, but also the new employment opportunities it will generate.”
