Cornwall Council is trying to redevelop two housing sites which are currently “not fit for purpose”.
The council is inviting expressions of interest in a contract worth up to £172m to operate and redevelop two nursing homes.
Trengrouse in Helston is currently closed, while Trefula, near Redruth, is partially open. The council says that both the homes “[do] do not meet modern standards or customer expectations and [are] not fit for purpose in the medium and long term”.
The council is undertaking a market engagement for a contract with an estimated value of between £110m and £172m.
Redevelopment work will include funding and financing, design, obtaining planning permission, any necessary demolitions and construction.
The new homes must be able to meet the nursing needs of people with moderate to severe dementia.
The work could include developing other care provision, such as supported living for people with learning disabilities, or accommodation for care staff. The developer can “get creative with the leftover land” as long as the proposals meet the council’s strategic priorities, the procurement documents say.
The sites will be transferred to the supplier, either as freehold at market value or on a long-term lease.
The contract will also include the management of care services before and after the construction of the new homes.
The council approved the redevelopment of the two sites at a cabinet meeting in March. I would prefer to appoint one supplier to operate and redevelop both houses, but will consider appointing a different supplier for each if necessary.
The contract notice says the council is “working to ensure that available care home capacity is matched to current and future demand for services”.
He explains that “so far care homes have not developed at the pace necessary to meet the growing needs of the Cornish population”, and adds “there is a significant gap between the need and the availability of supply, particularly for people who live with dementia.” .
The number of adults over 65 in the county is expected to increase by 25 per cent by 2030. During the same period there is expected to be a 31 per cent increase in people living with dementia.
