Specialist business property adviser, Christie & Co has brokered the sale of Kent Lodge in Woodbridge Road, Ipswich to L’Arche Ipswich.
L’Arche is a charity with 11 such communities across the UK and belongs to the International Federation of L’Arche.
The care home, which closed a year ago, is due to be reopened as a community for people with learning disabilities. L’Arche plans to offer upgraded accommodation in flats and studio units for about 16 people with resource rooms and common facilities.
The substantial detached property stands in a prominent position close to many local amenities and with ease of access to the town centre. Kent Lodge was a care home for the elderly up until its closure, the previous owner having now retired.
Director at Christie & Co’s Ipswich office, Robert Mellamphy who handled the sale said, “This property attracted strong interest from existing care operators looking to reopen the home for a wide range of different care uses through to developers looking at alternative use opportunities. We are very pleased to see the property now being put to use for such a good cause.”
Tony Gibbings, Community leader of L’Arche Ipswich commented, “Many local people are looking forward to being involved in the creation of a welcoming community facility, as are the families and people with learning disabilities who are aware of our projects to create safe environments for vulnerable people.
“L’Arche’s community model is based on the development of supportive relationships which has recently been recognised in the rating from the Care Quality Commission as ‘outstanding’. We look forward to the next phase of the project to develop this site which has so much potential for all involved.”
In the attached picture is Robert Mellamphy handing the keys to Charley-Anne Woodward and other members of the L’Arche Community in Ipswich along with the Chair of the Local Committee of L’Arche, Marie Roberts.
