CIVIC officials have agreed contracts for the building and eventual running of the first council-owned care home in Poole for 30 years.

Borough of Poole (BOP) councillors voted unanimously to award Stepnell Ltd the building contract, and Shaw healthcare a 10-year operating contract for the new Figbury Lodge care home.

BOP's planning committee approved plans for the 80-bed home at Canford Heath - the site of the former Care UK Mitchell House residential home - earlier this year.

Cllr Karen Rampton, cabinet portfolio holder for adult social services, said: "Figbury Lodge will be a vital and rewarding asset for Poole, and will provide much needed care for vulnerable members of our community.

"I look forward to seeing work begin on the construction of Figbury Lodge, and seeing how it benefits the residents of Poole in the future."

The home will be built on Mitchell Road and include services especially for Poole residents unable to fund their own care.

Construction is set to start in November, with the aim of the home accepting its first residents in summer 2019.

A council spokesman explained that as well as providing specialist nursing and dementia care, the new care home will also include a "community hub, with facilities and services available to members of the wider community and the home’s residents."

The name was chosen to reflect the history of the local area, with an 1811 map showing three hills dominating Canford Heath – Lodge Hill, Hakesbury Hill and Figbury Hill.

Shaw healthcare deputy chief executive officer Suzanne Hughes said: "We are delighted to be selected by the Borough of Poole to deliver high-quality nursing and dementia care as part of this contract.

"Figbury Lodge will provide 21st century accommodation for its residents in a caring environment and where they are able to enjoy the best quality of life.

"In line with our core values, we are keen for Figbury Lodge to become a pivotal part of community life in Canford Heath."