Cost to refurbish former children's home doubles

The cost of refurbishing a former children's care home to provide respite care for vulnerable adults has more than doubled, council figures show.

Residential care services are being relocated to Green Hill Lodge, off Green Lane in Worcester, by the county council.

The project will allow existing residential facilities, Worth Crescent in Stourport, Pershore Short Breaks and Worcester Resource Centre to be closed down and sold off.

But the cost of refurbishing the lodge has increased to more than £1.5m, since cabinet first agreed to a £619,390 plan in August last year.

At a cabinet meeting on Thursday, the authority agreed to an increased budget of £1.575m for the refurbishment.

Sue Eacock, cabinet member for adult social care, said renovating the lodge, which closed in 2021, was "still the cheapest option".

She said it was a shame the "beautiful building" hadn't been utilised to its full potential.

"We need to be protecting service users and giving their families peace of mind their loved ones will be cared for in a safe environment," she said.

"This proposal fulfils all those requirements."

But councillor Matt Jenkins questioned why the project had "more than doubled in cost", adding it "seems a big increase".

Hannah Perrott, assistant director for communities, said: "As contractors have got into the work of making it fit for the future, the costs have just increased. Costs globally have increased.

"But the work, as we've got under the skin of it, has identified additional areas we didn't factor in the original feasibility study."

Council leader Jo Monk said she was "blown away by the facility" after visiting it.

"Many of us will, at some point, rely on adult social care. For adults with learning disabilities, that support is often needed throughout their lives," she explained.

"I am confident this is the right way forward to continue providing the highest standard of care Worcestershire is known for."

This news was gathered by the Local Democracy Reporting Service which covers councils and other public service organisations.

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