A “desperately needed” multi- pound project to develop dementia care in Droitwich has been shelved due to the current national financial crisis.
Plans to build a £4.2 million dementia wing at Dorset House, Blackfriars Avenue, have been put on hold because the scheme relied heavily on capital funding.
The facility was also set to create around 100 jobs in the town. It was hoped that building work would soon start on the scheme, which includes 37 beds for patients plus a communal lounge, a dining room and a day room.
Charity Age Care, the organisation behind the project, previously claimed there was a “desperate need” for such a facility in the area, particularly in Droitwich.
Planning chiefs at Wychavon District Council only gave the final go-ahead last month.
Worcestershire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust had also given its full support to the ambitious development.
Ian McLintock, from Age Care, said: “The Dorset House dementia wing project has been put on hold. Age Care remains financially stable but to proceed would require us to access capital funding from the markets, which is normal for such projects.
“However, doing so would expose us to the unstable markets, which would bring with it a high level of risk. To take loans out now is asking for trouble.
“We can’t say when the project will be back up and running. We will just have to keep an eye on the financial situation.
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