GIBRALTAR House Nursing Home in Monmouth has been given the go ahead by County Council Planners to develop Monmouth's First Care Village. A phased programme over the next 18 months will see the £10m construction of a state of the art 87 bedded Nursing and Residential Care home together with 33 specially designed close care apartments and cottages for the elderly. The project will be managed by Andrew Wilson Partnership from Bristol. Senior Partner Andrew Wilson told us, "Gibraltar House currently provides nursing and residential care for 35 residents many of whom suffer from dementia. Whilst the quality of care at the home has an impeccable reputation, the fabric of the building is tired and not up to modern standards. Together with the Architects from Newport, KWL, we have a proven track record in building Award Winning Care Villages in England and so very much look forward to giving Monmouth the first one in Wales." PSP Healthcare, the home's registered operators, say that over 50 new jobs will be created with the Care Village. Its Managing Director, Preyen Dewani, comments that "the new facility will provide a level of accommodation and facility that just does not exist in Wales today. "The new home will have a health suite with a hydro-therapy pool, a specially adapted gym for the elderly, personal therapy rooms, hair dressing salons on each floor, internet cafe and a special cinema room to screen all the old flicks!" He went on to say that "We are fortunate to live in decent accommodation and enjoy good food, entertainment and activities, so there is no reason why our elderly should not have the best as well". All the bedrooms will be fully ensuite and 20sq m in size, which is significantly above the current minimum standard requirement of 12.1 sq m. The Care Village will also provide mobility friendly 2 bedroom cottages and apartments for those not immediately requiring the full services of the care home. "The concept," explained Preyen, "is that a couple may release their equity by selling their property and move into the Village on a tenancy for the duration of their life. "They can lead an independent life whilst living in a secure, well maintained community with neighbours at a similar stage. If it becomes necessary for one of the partners to become a resident in the care home it would cause minimal disruption to the family as everything is on one site". News of the planning decision has led to a significant increase in the number of people looking to secure their bed at Gibraltar House ready for the new facilities. Andrea Booth, home administrator, reported that a number of relatives had approached the home in a bid to be place their loved ones on a waiting list for the new building from this early stage! Gibraltar House is owned by Gibraltar Holdings Ltd. The nursing home is operated by PSP Healthcare Ltd Gibraltar House nursing home is situated on an elevated site above the Gibraltar tunnels and specialises in dementia (Elderly Mentally Infirm) and currently provides 35 residents with Nursing and Residential Care The phased development programme will begin in September 2007 and is designed to keep the current home fully operational throughout the build process. The first phase of 14 two bed close care cottages and apartments will be available from September 2008 and the care home will follow in December 2008. The second phase 19 two bed close care cottages and apartments will be available from July 2008