The contract was placed through the North West Construction Framework.
GB Group, working with architect Alston Murphy, won the contract not only for construction, but also for the concept design, design development and planning application for the care home. GB worked with its subsidiary Aston Care, a specialist care advisory firm, to interpret and deliver the Council’s vision for the 60-bed care home.
A key element of the design is the provision of direct outdoors access for as many people as possible. Therefore 36 of the bedrooms are on the ground floor, with doors straight into the garden, while first-floor rooms share terraces.
GB Group chairman and chief executive Martin Smout said: “This is a significant project for the whole of the GB group as we will be working on it from purchase and through build to delivery using different parts of our group for planning, design and now construction. This project demonstrates clearly that GB Group is far more than ‘just’ a contractor and works with clients from conception through to delivery of a fully working building designed to meet the needs of the people who live, work and operate in the care industry.
“The scheme forms an integral part of Cumbria County Council’s modernisation programme and it was important that we designed a building that was specific to the needs of people with dementia by involving the community and the council’s stakeholders throughout.”
Cllr Beth Furneaux, Cumbria County Council’s cabinet member for adult social care, added: “GB Group understood what we wanted from the start and has worked with us at every stage to ensure we will achieve everything we set out to.
"Community involvement was vital and GB has delivered on its promise to involve and listen to stakeholders, local residents and businesses. We're now looking forward to seeing the building completed and the first residents enjoying the very best care we can provide.”
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