Novel vision for new elderly care centre at former Woodfield Primary School in Chester

Feb 11 2010 by David Holmes, Chester Chronicle

Novel vision for new elderly care centre at former Woodfield Primary School in Chester

A MULTI-MILLION pound community centre for older people and local residents looks set to replace existing facilities.

The 72-bed centre, proposed by Cheshire West and Chester Council, would be built at the former Woodfield Primary School site in Somerset Road, Newton.

But paying for the scheme would mean downgrading Lightfoot Lodge in Hoole to a day centre from September, with respite care residents transferred to Chester’s Curzon House and Ellesmere Port’s Sutton Beeches facility.

These two centres would close when the new centre opens in spring 2012 at the earliest, subject to a public consultation.

The centre will provide short-term support for people discharged from hospital. It will also offer respite care and include a 20-place day service focused on dementia sufferers.

In addition, it is hoped to build 12 semi-detached bungalows for resident couples who would be supported by the centre.

The two and three story building would be set in ‘plenty of open green space’ and include a secure garden.

Facilities for the neighbourhood at large will include a community function hall with bar, a bistro/café, a small library with IT and computer facilities and a hair and beauty salon.

There will be consulting rooms for local GPs and health professionals, including community nurses and chiropodists. There may also be a small gym.

Hoole and Newton Cllr Adrian Walmsley (Con) told the Chronicle: “The good news for local residents is that there will be a community hall, a bistro, hairdressing salon and so on and that’s what we as local councillors have always fought for.”