Care home plan for former council offices in Bedlington approved
A former council office building is set to be repurposed as a care home for complex adults.
Leading councillors in Northumberland approved plans to redevelop the Foundry House site in Bedlington into a “complex care facility”.
The scheme is expected to cost £12.7 million initially, but provide an annual saving of £1.4 million. This would be achieved by avoiding costly external placements.
The adult social care department is under significant financial pressure due to rising demand. Total expenditure is expected rise 4.41% to £275.5 million in 2026/27.
Speaking at Tuesday’s cabinet meeting, portfolio holder for adult social care Coun Eve Chicken said: “We’re seeking support to redevelop the Foundry House site in Bedlington into a care facility.
“At the moment the site is vacant. IT was being used as offices but not at this point.
“It is not within the council’s interest to sell it off or develop it into something else – this is the best value for money. We’re looking to build a 36-bed unit for some of the most complex residents we have.
“At the moment, we’re outsourcing a lot of their care because we don’t currently have the facilities for them. This will provide such a facility.
“This would provide an annual saving of £1.4 million. The cost of redevelopment would be about £12.7 million.
“It is my firm belief that this is the right thing for Bedlington, for our residents and for this site.”
A report presented to the cabinet explained that it was anticipated the care facility will be operational by mid-2028. Planning permission will be sought this year, following design and procurement work ahead of construction starting in 2027.
Foundry House is currently being used as a temporary site for Mowbray Primary School pupils while remedial work is carried out at the school itself. The report read: “It is not expected that this temporary use will effect the estimated development timeline laid out here.”