WORK has got underway to build a new state-of-the-art care home in Kingswinford.

On his last official engagement as deputy Mayor of Dudley - Councillor Dave Tyler, who is now the borough's mayor, kicked off the building work at a sod-cutting ceremony at New Bradley Hall, where a contemporary new 66-bedroom home is being built next to the existing facility.

New Bradley Hall residents Harry Griffiths, aged 84, and Patricia Grove, aged 78, also lent a hand at the ceremony.

Black Country Housing Group, which rescued the Compton Drive care home from closure after agreeing a transfer deal with Dudley Council in 2015, is creating a three-storey new home to provide top quality residential care including specialist facilities for people with dementia.

Councillor Dave Tyler, who took over as Mayor of Dudley on May 18, said it was "an honour" to attend the ceremony marking the start of construction work and he added: "The well-being of residents is always of the utmost importance and the new development will provide modern facilities for residents as well as specialist care for people with dementia.”

Being built by LNT Construction, the new facility will include 66 fully en-suite bedrooms for people over 55, plus spacious communal areas, modern amenities and sensory gardens.

Residents will continue to be cared for at the existing New Bradley Hall during the construction and will transfer to the new home once the building work is complete in summer 2018.

Martin Hutson, managing director at LNT Construction, said: “We are delighted to be building this beautiful care home for Black Country Housing Group. It is also great news for Kingswinford, providing a high quality resource for older people in the local community.

“The facilities will incorporate intelligent dementia design and be eco-friendly by benefitting from ground source heat pumps and LED lighting. We aim to engage with the community to ensure as little disruption as possible to the residents in the vicinity whilst building their new high quality care home.”

The old New Bradley Hall will be demolished once the new facility is up and running.

Amanda Tomlinson, chief executive of Black Country Housing Group, said: “When opened next year, the new facility will replace the current deteriorating building with a well-designed, well-appointed luxurious home that will enhance the quality of life for local people living in our care.

“Our residents always come first and, having carefully consulted with them, we’re committed to building the home the best possible standards to meet the care needs of current and future residents of Kingswinford, including those with dementia.”