London & South East Premier Construction

Netley Abbey Care Home takes shape

Netley Abbey Care Home
Written by Roma Publications

 Netley Abbey Care Home

The construction of a new 65 bed care home and assisted living accommodation in Netley are progressing well with an expected completion date of March.

Demolition works began in November 2013 on the site in Southampton which had been purchased from Hampshire County Council.

The school structure on the site, which had been derelict for over years, was demolished and groundworks were undertaken to prepare the ground for the new structures. The team have worked closely with the local council and their planning department during the scheme and were required to retain the oldest building on the site as it is on the edge of a conservation area and a building of local interest.

The outbuildings and extension structures on the site were removed after the discovery of asbestos and the large existing building was refurbished to become the main part of the new care home. A large timber frame extension was then constructed to form the rest of the care home. Another timber frame structure which also extends off the existing building was also erected and now comprises nine assisted living apartments.

We caught up with Steve Matthews, Construction Director at main contractors Highwood Construction, to find out more about the scheme. He commented:
“We became involved with the scheme after Highwood Residential, our sister company, gained planning permission on the site and entered into a joint venture with an operator and a fonder to construct the home and operate it. Off the back of this project Highwood Construction was named as the main contractor to build the facilities.”

The care home comprises 65 bedrooms with en-suite bathrooms and level access showers. The building also boasts many associated communal areas, informal seating areas and dining space. The newly built building spans three floors and the existing structure is split over two floors with the three floor comprising residential, dementia and nursing facilities.

The site also contains three one bed and six two bed apartments boasting impressive views of the Southampton Waters. Both the apartments and the care home have been designed to a high specification and boast luxurious features.

The sites grounds are also being landscaped and associated outbuildings on the site have been converted into cycle stores and a substation. Currently the team are installing parking facilities as well carrying out extensive highway improvements to the site.

A separate planning application was also undertaken so that the team could install cedar fencing on the site to shield residents from the deteriorating nine metre cliff to the beach front. Steve added:

“This is a high end care home and is a prestigious development for us. We are involved with the joint venture and so have an ongoing interest in the home’s operation. It is going to be a landmark scheme in Netley as well as within the portfolio of homes that Hertford Care is creating. We are proud of the home and the quality of the finish and attention detail; we worked closely with the planning department post consent.

“We worked with the local community and the local parish to ensure the building looks right within the local area. There has been a real community spirit with this development and upon completion it is going to be a very beautiful building that the whole community can be proud of.”

 

 

 

 

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