THE Stourbridge-based Western Region of Mansell has been awarded a contract worth more than £5 million for the design and build of an extra-care development in Redditch.

To celebrate, the firm organised a party for residents.

The scheme, for Rooftop Housing Group and Heritage Care, includes 42 extra-care apartments, along with communal facilities and a wellbeing centre in Evesham Road, Headless Cross.

The development will include self-contained dementia care apartments, aimed at keeping family, partners or carers together in a care-based environment, with assisted living and support from a care team.

The work involves the demolition of an existing building, which was built in the early 1900s and donated to the Red Cross by the then owner Dorothy Terry, to be used as a care facility. The new building will be known as Dorothy Terry House.

The building to be demolished has a roost of pipistrelle bats in the roof, so a bat loft has been designed into the new building to avoid displacing them.

Mansell employees organised a party afternoon for residents and staff of the current Dorothy Terry House. The event included a buffet, singing and a gift for each resident.

The £5.1 million contract is due for completion in spring, 2014. David Hannon, development director at Rooftop Housing Group, said, “We’re delighted to have Mansell working on our behalf on this project.

“The finished scheme will enable people living with dementia to lead an independent life but with the care and support they may need to ensure this happens. Work is progressing superbly and Mansell understands the high quality that we are aiming for and that residents deserve.”