60 new jobs created as work concludes on Bingley extra care and dementia centre

Work is now complete on a new 84,000 sq ft extra care and dementia centre, which is currently welcoming its first residents into their new homes close to Bingley town centre.

Known as Fern House, the project has been developed by The Abbeyfield Society and will be operated by Abbeyfield The Dales.

Brewster Bye Architects designed the seven storey building, which was built by Bardsley Construction, with BWA providing cost consultancy services.

The scheme, which has created approximately 60 new jobs, includes 49, one and two bedroom, extra care apartments and a residential suite, complete with 30 en-suite bedrooms which will be dedicated to supporting people living with dementia.

The new centre also offers a multi-storey entrance atrium, restaurant, hair and beauty salon, rooftop lounge and landscaped courtyard garden areas.

It has been built on the site of the former Bingley Hospital and the foundation stones from the original building have been restored and turned into a feature at the entrance to the development.

Jackie Bradfield, chief executive of Abbeyfield The Dales, said: “Fern House has set a new benchmark in terms of quality and specification for us.

“When this is combined with the fact that it’s one of our largest developments with a superb range of facilities, there’s no doubt it will be a fantastic place to live and work and we are confident that it will prove to be a highly valuable asset for the local community as a whole.

“It’s a real privilege to welcome our new residents, who are currently moving in and enjoying their surroundings, as well as creating so many new jobs within the local area.”

Keith Brewster from Brewster Bye Architects added: “Fern House is a fantastic achievement for everyone involved and to see our ideas and designs come to fruition is hugely rewarding.

“The development has been planned and designed to complement the local streetscape, whilst being extremely functional, modern and light. This has created a wonderful living environment that exceeds anything else in the local area.”

Roly Bardsley of Bardsley Construction, also commented: “The challenge of any technically demanding construction project, such as Fern House, is made easier by working with specialist local supply chain partners to meet Abbeyfield’s aspirations of providing the highest quality accommodation possible.

“This has certainly been achieved at Fern House and it’s a project that we’re delighted to put our name to.”