More care homes to be built by 2010 (From Warrington Guardian)

More care homes to be built by 2010

ELDERLY people in mid Cheshire look set to benefit from plans announced by Cheshire County Council to provide more than £100million of 'world class' care homes.

The plans include building an extra 2,000 care homes in Cheshire by 2010.

A spokesman for Cheshire County Council said: "We are still in the very early stages but some of these provisions will certainly be in Vale Royal and Congleton."

The county council has been given the green light by the Government to bid for up to £17million of private finance initiative funding to help build the first phase of 400 homes by 2006.

Lynn Hardwick, social services executive member, said: "The scheme will provide world class standards of fine, affordable accommodation backed by multi-discipline care teams living nearby, providing 24-hour cover.

"It is a huge project, probably involving several partners and whilst the total cost will be enormous, so will the advantages to both the elderly and the community at large."

The council is already looking at the possibility of introducing nursing care to relieve the pressure on residential and nursing homes.

Care homes would be available to buy, rent or acquire on a co-ownership basis with the residents buying part of the property and renting the remainder.

The scheme is designed to create a 'balanced community' with a third of the places used as an alternative to long term placement, a third to people with health and social care needs and a final third to more able older people.