Gloucestershire County Council has approved a £57 million investment over the next four-and-a-half years to build three new care homes as part of its efforts to improve care services for the county’s ageing population.
The initiative aims to address capacity challenges while ensuring that elderly residents, particularly those with complex needs such as dementia, receive high-quality support in well-equipped, modern facilities.
According to Gloucestershire Live, the decision was confirmed during a cabinet meeting on 5 March, where council members highlighted the urgent need for updated care facilities to meet the demands of a growing elderly population.
While two locations have already been identified, a third is still under consideration, reflecting the council’s commitment to ensuring that these new homes are strategically placed to serve local communities effectively.
Identified Locations and Timeline
Two locations have already been confirmed for the new facilities : the former GIS site in Cinderford and the former Elms Care Home site and Stonehouse Library site in Stonehouse.
A third location is still being determined, with Tewkesbury being considered as a potential site. Construction on the first two care homes is scheduled to begin in May 2026, with an expected opening in early 2028.
Addressing the shortfall in care home places
The decision to build these new care homes comes in response to an anticipated shortage of approximately 900 care home beds across Gloucestershire. Many of the county’s existing facilities are outdated, and further closures of care homes are expected in the coming years, which will add pressure on available spaces.
Speaking at the cabinet meeting, Carole Allaway-Martin, cabinet member for adult social care, highlighted the urgency of the situation, noting that the county’s population is set to grow significantly, particularly those aged 85 and over, a group projected to increase by 84%.
Many of the existing facilities in Gloucestershire are outdated, and further closures of care homes are expected, leading to a predicted shortfall of somewhere around 900 beds in the county, – she said.
The needs of our older people are becoming ever more complex, and we must make sure that we have the right facilities, in the right locations, for those who need the highest level of care.
Enhancing Care Through Technology and Community Integration
The new care homes will integrate modern technology to improve the quality of care for residents, particularly for those with complex health conditions. They will be designed to help individuals remain within their local communities, ensuring that they can stay close to familiar surroundings and support networks.
This initiative is also part of Gloucestershire County Council’s broader strategy to expand community-based services, which aims to enable more elderly residents to stay in their own homes for longer.
By improving at-home support, the council seeks to promote greater independence and reduce reliance on care homes.
