Mears has entered into a partnership with Cornwall Council to provide 750 extra care homes in a deal worth £150m.
Under a 30-year arrangement and 14-year care contract, the Gloucestershire firm will build housing for elderly people and those with special needs with access to care services.
The 750 units will be delivered over seven years and will be a mixture of affordable rented and shared ownership options.
Priority will be given to residents who already live near the schemes. It is understood Mears has identified the first sites for the construction of extra care homes in Hayle, St Austell, Liskeard, Newquay and Falmouth.
Applicants will need to be over 55 but do not have to have any care needs to be eligible, however, 24-hour care will be available on site.
“The delivery of extra care housing forms part of the overall transformation of adult services and will be critical in helping to provide the older residents of Cornwall with a viable alternative to moving into a care home,” said Cornwall Council portfolio holder for adults Rob Rotchell.
“Not only will the extra care units allow people to remain closer to their communities they are familiar with they will also allow people to maintain their independence for as long as possible,” he added.
The £150m investment includes £90m spent on the local supply chain, of which £60m is to be spent with local small and medium enterprises.
Cornwall Council expects the scheme to create nearly 700 new jobs across Cornwall with a commitment to pay the Full Living Wage workers delivering care and support.
The jobs created include 200 new apprenticeships across the construction, care and housing management sectors.
