Developer unveils plans for new 60-bed care home

An artist's impression of the proposed new care home on Queensferry Road. Picture: contributed

Full blueprints for the 60-bed facility – on Queensferry Road, close to the junction with Maybury Road – are set to be lodged with the council next month.

Developer Frontier Estates says the nursing home will bring more than 50 jobs to the area when it opens in the autumn of 2017 – as well as pumping £900,000 into the city’s economy every year.

The move marks Frontier’s first venture in Scotland, with the company having recently completed a number of similar projects throughout  England.

It will be working with care provider Barchester Healthcare, which already runs the nearby Strachan House Care Home, Drummond Grange at Lasswade and Archview Lodge in Dalkeith.

Duncan Ford, estates director at Frontier, said the development would provide “much-needed purpose-built care home accommodation for Barnton”.

He said: “We have been looking for a suitable address in the Capital for some time and consider this location to be ideal due to the prominence of the site, accessibility to public transport, shops and  services.

“An attractive building is being designed by Yeoman McAllister Architects which will contain high-quality bedrooms and welcoming communal areas within a landscaped environment.

The layout and design has been carefully thought out to integrate with adjoining residential properties whilst maintaining amenity and privacy within a managed setting.

“In addition to providing a modern facility, the development would employ 50 to 60 staff and provide over £900,000 of value to the Edinburgh economy on an annual basis.

“We hope that it will be welcomed by the local community and we are already in dialogue with the community councils, as well as holding public exhibitions locally.”

Richard Smith, development director at Barchester Healthcare, added: “We are very excited about the prospect of developing a new care home in Edinburgh, which would give a much-needed boost to both care provision and employment in the area.

“Barchester strives to deliver the best possible services in all of our new and existing homes with a focus on ensuring that choice, dignity and independence is given to every individual we care for.”

NHS chiefs have previously raised concerns over a chronic shortage of social care – including care homes – across the Capital.

Andrew Mather, chair of the nearby Cramond and Barnton community council, said the body had “no major objections” to the plans, but added that  they were yet to see them in detail.

However, he revealed some initial concerns had been raised over vehicle access to Queensferry Road.

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