Council announces ambitious plans to increase local care provision

The council is proposing to dispose of its car park site adjacent to the Civic Centre, known locally as the Lobster Pot, to developer Urban Vision to be transformed into a nursing care facility with a total of 162 beds.  

The proposed redevelopment of the site would provide a sustainable, cost-effective approach to increasing adult social care places in the borough, while also reducing the council's reliance on costly private sector provision to meet ever-growing demand.  

The council's Cabinet agreed to the proposals at its meeting on Thursday 23 October, and the development remains subject to planning permission. A full planning application will be submitted in due course, at which point residents will be able to have their say on Urban Vision's plans as part of a public consultation.  

The facilities would be designed and built in collaboration with the council, to meet Care Quality Commission criteria, ensuring they are of the highest standard and future proofed to meet residents' needs.  

Future arrangements for those, including council staff, who use the car park are being considered and will provide a continuation of parking options for council employees in Uxbridge. The car park will remain in use until April next year. 

Cllr Jane Palmer, Hillingdon Council's Cabinet Member for Health and Social Care, said: "The size and central location of the site presents an ideal opportunity to increase high quality and accessible care locally for our residents, while addressing the demand for more dementia nursing care provision in the borough.   

"By investing in our own facilities, we're reducing reliance on external providers, driving down costs, and creating a more sustainable care system for the future.  

"It will also enable residents to continue to live locally in a building designed to support high levels of care and encourage independent living where possible, with opportunities to recruit local people for nursing and care worker roles."  

Cllr Jonathan Bianco, Deputy Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Corporate Services and Property, said: "These proposals are part of our ongoing commitment to deliver value for money services for residents, while developing new and innovative ways of meeting their needs.   

"It forms part of our continuing transformation and savings programme by making best use of our assets to maximise their value, saving on running costs and generating income for the council."