THE plans are drawn, the timeline is set – and now the ground has been broken for a new 60-bedroom dementia care home in Winchester.

Brendoncare Foundation has formally marked the construction of its new facility in St Giles.

It has been custom designed by Octopus Real Estate’s in house healthcare development team and Brendoncare will lease and operate the new home.

Chief executive Marianne Wanstall said: “The ground-breaking ceremony marks the first milestone in the construction of the new care home. We are absolutely delighted that work has begun.

"The new home will provide much needed support for older people in Winchester, offering nursing, dementia, residential, respite and end-of-life care.

“The care home will provide a secure and safe environment for our residents and our community hub will offer services for local people to help prevent social isolation and loneliness.”

Brendoncare St Giles View is being built by Real and will include 60 purpose-built, en-suite bedrooms, a café/restaurant, a hair and beauty salon and a community hub.

There will be social groups, exercise activities, walks and carer support services. Community support services will also be provided for people who may need extra help in their own home to enable them to continue living independently.

Phillip Sykes, High Sheriff of Hampshire and Brendoncare Trustee, said: “This is an exciting project for Brendoncare and we are looking forward to being able to continue providing high quality services for our residents and the local community within the new development.”

Michael Toft, Senior Fund Manager, at Octopus Real added: “Reaching such an important milestone for the project is great encouragement for the development. It is an exciting project which pulls together the specialist development and investment expertise within Octopus Real Estate and will deliver a high-quality care home for the local community in Winchester. We’re delighted to be developing and funding this new, best-in-class care home for Brendoncare.

“We have worked closely with Brendoncare to make sure the home is designed to the highest standard meeting their bespoke requirements. Brendoncare’s knowledge of the local area has been invaluable and we hope to strengthen our relationship and work together on future new homes.”

The home is due to open in the summer of 2022.

Andy Heyes, South West Regional Director at Real, said: “It is fantastic to get on site and see the careful planning and pre-construction work allowing us to swing into action. As a specialist contractor building older people’s housing, we know the importance of, not only building more homes to meet the wide range of older people’s needs, but ensuring those homes are built to the highest standards. We know just how crucial this is to Brendoncare and Octopus and we are 100 per cent focused on building homes we can all be proud of.”