Jobs boost as Market Drayton care home gets go ahead

The Shropshire Council-owned care home, on Adderley Road in Market Drayton, will provide accommodation for adults with learning disabilities who are currently living outside the county.

The facility will provide 24-hour, one-to-one care, and could also house people who have challenging behaviour or physical disabilities.

A supported living bungalow, flats and training unit are also planned for the site to enable people to live as independently as possible, depending on their specific needs. The proposed site is a former builder's yard and garage that has been out of use for some time.

Civic leaders in Market Drayton have welcomed the plans for the site and the number of jobs it could create. Councillor Tim Beckett, mayor of Market Drayton, said: "Anything that creates jobs is good. The less derelict spaces we have in the town the better."

Councillor Beckett added he was keen for priority to be given to people from Market Drayton to use the facility.

Shropshire Council received two comments of support for the scheme which said the care home will provide an asset to the town.

A report in support of the application said: "The Market Drayton Repatriation project aims to provide new high quality homes for adults with learning disabilities, possibly with some challenging behaviour or physical disabilities, who are currently living outside county.

"The intention is to provide a variety of dwelling types on one site, to suit the specific needs of different service users, in order for them to live as independently as possible, whilst maintaining access to the support they need.

"The proposed development will provide high quality employment opportunities for care staff within the town and have a positive effect on the land value by changing the use of the site.

"It is proposed to provide the accommodation with four separate buildings, each with their own private garden space, shared car parking and a communal allotment."

A statement on behalf of Shropshire Council added: "

The council will remain owners and in overall control of the site, but there may be several different external care providers running the services."