SIXTY jobs will be created by a new £4.75m nursing home at an anti-social behaviour hot-spot.
Meridian Healthcare yesterday announced the employment boost for Huddersfield with work about to start at the Oakes Villa site.
The building has been an anti-social behaviour hot-spot since it closed in 2006.
It was formerly a residential home run by Kirklees Council.
But by next summer the site off Willwood Avenue, Oakes, will house a 60-bed care home featuring a nail bar, hairdressing salon and wireless Internet access. Meridian announced yesterday that 60 people will be employed at the site.
Managing director Susan Firth said: “The Oakes will be a great example of how to provide high-quality long-term care.
“With the number of older people in Kirklees set to rise by 33% in the next 10 years, this new home will help to meet the rising demand for care services.”
Holmfirth developer Conroy Brook will begin work on the site this month and hope to be finished by next summer.
Chief executive Richard Conroy said: “We are delighted to be working with Meridian to deliver an exceptionally high standard of care provision for the people of Kirklees.
“The development will also bring back to life a redundant site, contributing to the long-term regeneration of the area.”
Lindley Lib Dem Clr Cahal Burke said yesterday: “I think people are quite happy with a nursing home in the area as opposed to more housing.
“We’ve campaigned for this to be built for many years so it’s positive news that the building work will begin.”
His Lindley Lib Dem colleague Clr Tony Woodhead added: “The building has been an eyesore because it’s been empty for so long.
“The council had plans for the site and never managed to implement them. Important buildings shouldn’t stay empty for such a length of time.”
Meridian submitted a planning application for the site on November 12, 2010. Council officers approved the proposal on February 11.
