Businessman reveals plans to create a £25m `care village’ at Westerfield House, on the edge of Ipswich.

East Anglian Daily Times: Westerfield House care home, Humber Doucy Lane, Ipswich where owner Mac Khan is aiming to create a care villageWesterfield House care home, Humber Doucy Lane, Ipswich where owner Mac Khan is aiming to create a care village (Image: Archant)

A £25million project for a “care village” on the edge of Ipswich providing homes for 200 people has been unveiled by a local businessman.

Mac Khan wants to transform an eight acre site at Westerfield House into the care village, creating up to 200 jobs.

He already operates Grade II listed Westerfield House, a former hotel, as a care home and now wants to develop the site further, creating a care village in a £25million project.

“We are going down the road of a care village, it is a new and very different concept. This is a concept popular in Canada and the USA, and in China.

“There are other ‘care villages’ in London and Birmingham, I believe. This will be one of its kind. I am not aware of another one in Suffolk.”

If approved by planners, the care village would include Westerfield House, a 37 person dementia unit, which has already been granted planning permission, 147 purpose-built extra care apartments for people aged 55 years and over and a range of health and community facilities. It is expected to create 150-200 new jobs.

Mr Khan took over the former hotel five years ago and renovated and converted the building to its new use.

“Westerfield House has been operational for two years, and during this time we have received three awards. Also we received our first inspection by the Quality Care Commission and was rated good in all five key areas.

“This is our third year. We can look after 31 people here and we usually have 85-90% occupancy,” Mr Khan said.

A planning application for the project has been submitted to Ipswich Borough Council by Westerfield House. “We would welcome people’s comments and opinions,” Mr Khan said. “This is a very exciting project. I hope we can get planning permission for it. It will take us to the next level.”

Work is just getting underway to build the 37-bed dementia unit which is due to be completed next year, Mr Khan said. “We will hope to start on the village as soon as planning permission is granted,” Mr Khan said, adding that he hoped it would be complete by 2021 if approved.

The plans include a reception area with concierge services, day centre, GP/nurse station, consultation rooms for opticians/dentists a 75 seat restaurant, function hall, gym, cinema, spa, laundrette and housekeeping services, interfaith room and a pharmacy. Pop-up retail stalls are also included.

The country has a growing elderly population, which is putting a strain on health and social and community services/

Age Uk in Suffolk says there is need for more care facilities.

Head of fundraising Jo Reader said: “It is widely publicised that we are living in an ageing society, and we know that the expected average age is going to increase significantly over the next few years. With this brings about concerns about provision of care, social inclusion and other issues that can affect people in later life. With an estimated 1 in 3 people expected to die with dementia, it is really important that our communities recognise the expected increase in need, and provide accessible and cost effective services for everyone”.