Social care group plans to build homes on former Somerville school site in Wallasey

Oct 22 2008 by Lorna Hughes, Wallasey News

Social care group plans to build homes on former Somerville school site in Wallasey

A SOCIAL care organisation is planning to build 70 flats and bungalows for older people on the former Somerville School site in Wallasey.

Until earlier this year the old school building on Gorsey Lane was being used to house community groups and the Wirral LA21 Network.

The four-acre site was originally listed for sale at a commercial property auction in Manchester on September 4.

But the lot was withdrawn from the auction and Wirral Council has agreed to sell the land to social landlord Housing 21 to develop the “extra care” facility.

A proposed second phase of development would see the construction of a further nine bungalows.

The site adjoins closure-threatened Poulton House care home, which social services bosses now want to keep open for another three years.

Director of Social Services John Webb has scrapped plans to spend £1.5m to develop Poulton House as a 60-bed single intermediate care unit serving the whole of the borough.

Addressing members of Wirral Council’s cabinet last Thursday, Mr Webb said the Housing 21 scheme, if granted planning permission, would “deliver care of high quality”.

He also spoke about the plans at last week’s Liscard and Seacombe area forum.

In a report he said: “Proposals for the future of Poulton House will be presented to a future cabinet following extensive consultation with staff and people who use services.

“The development on the adjacent site, the former Somerville School on Gorsey Lane, will create 70 extra care housing units.

“Without prejudicing the outcome of this consultation this development may create opportunities for further investment.

“At this stage it is proposed to maintain provision at Poulton House for the next three years which will ensure capacity is available to deliver intermediate care and respite services whilst the market undergoes further managed change.”

Councillors also agreed to axe the policy of paying holiday grants to people with disabilities and move day services away from Seacombe Day Centre, saving £60,000.

Mr Webb said: “It moved there as a temporary arrangement about ten years ago and provides a service to nine people with two members of staff.

“We believe we can accommodate those people’s needs in other locations.”