Flagship Development Creates 100 Jobs In Northumberland

A former cattle auction site has been transformed into a luxury assisted living scheme which will provide a home to 73 residents and employment for up to 100 people.

Construction on the £7m scheme at Ponteland in Northumberland is almost complete and operators Crown Care are now recruiting nursing staff ahead of its opening in the Autumn, paying above the living wage of £7.25 an hour.

The Royal Hampton is a 73-bed home providing residential, nursing and dementia care; two three-bedded bungalows and four three-bedded town houses with associated car parking, service amenities and garden area.

Crown Care engaged Newcastle-based architects Alston Murphy Associates to design the development to the highest specifications alongside the building contractors, Chester-le-Street’s Meldrum Construction.

Wendy Conn, Crown Care’s managing director of Healthcare said: “The Royal Hampton really will be a care centre with the wow factor – it is the jewel in our crown.

“It will include an internet café, cinema, spa services, library and a music hall, alongside quiet lounges for residents and those staying with us for a short time.

“Each of the single bedrooms will have ensuite shower rooms while there will be a number of suites with private lounges and kitchens to help our residents maintain independence. This is the perfect site for us. There will be a large area of landscaped gardens and it is close to the town centre so our residents will be part of the community.

“We are looking to deliver the best quality environment the region has to offer while providing the highest possible standards of care to ensure those who come to live here or stay with us for a short time get the care, attention and lifestyle they deserve.”

Architect Ian Murphy said: “We have built more than 80 developments in the care home sector around the country and the Royal Hampton will be the most spectacular. We have looked at a whole range of developments for inspiration and come up with plans of the highest specification. We believe this is the sort of development which can become a blueprint for future assisted living schemes.”

Job applicants and potential residents can find out more by emailing info@crowncaregroup.co.uk or call 0191 2708649.