Planning application submission for new Bridport Reablement Centre

Architects plans are this week being submitted to Dorset Council for a new £28.3m reablement centre on the site of the former Sidney Gale care home in Bridport.

It follows the first series of engagement with webinars for Dorset Council members, town councillors and local residents, who attended a drop-in event at Bridport Town Hall last week.

The 56-fully equipped rooms will be registered with the Care Quality Commission as a Care Home with Nursing and will be designed to support older adults as they recover and regain independence after hospital stays or health challenges, such as falls at home.

It is expected to support 600 older adults annually, with most staying for less than six weeks, although some residents may need longer stays. Reablement is short-term help to get people back on their feet after an illness , injury or hospital stays. It helps people do things for themselves, such as:

* Getting dressed and personal care

* Preparing meals

* Moving around safely

* Managing medication

* Getting out and about

Councillor Steve Robinson, Cabinet Portfolio lead for Adult Social Care, said the demand for reablement services for older adults was rising due to Dorset's ageing population, complex health needs and hospital discharge pressures.

"Good reablement plays a critical role in minimising the need for long-term care and reducing admissions to care homes and hospitals. "

"But it also helps people return home confidently, which is important for successful recovery and long-term well-being. Residents at the reablement centre will have personalised, tailored discharge planning that look at the person's support systems and home life," he added.

The council and architects have worked with the University of Stirling's Dementia Services Development Centre to ensure the building has a dementia-friendly design. The layout supports safe navigation and orientation for residents living with dementia. Secure access ensures safety while maintaining independence and freedom.

The centre is likely to be run by the council's fully owned trading company Care Dorset, who ran the former Sidney Gale care home. The council has also been liaising with the Health Sciences University, Bournemouth, over the provision of training a range of qualified therapists to enhance the community-based workforce.

The building and surrounding land have been designed to exceed the 10% Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) target and will include an area of wild meadow, native trees and wildlife corridors, homes for nature for wildlife species and sensory, accessible gardens.

Demolition of the existing buildings is planned to take place early next year. If planning permission is granted, construction is due to start in early summer 2026 with the building completed in early 2028.

Notes to Editors

Further engagement events, including an early evening event at Mountfield, Bridport, DT6 3JP, on Wednesday 24 September (5-8pm), are planned.