RESIDENTS of the first council care home built in Poole in three decades will begin moving in next month.

Construction of Figbury Lodge in Canford Heath has been finished in just under two years at a cost of just under £10 million.

BCP Council says it will increase the number of affordable care beds in the area while also supporting the rehabilitation of people coming out of hospital.

Work began in November 2017 after Poole council awarded a £9.6 million contract to Stepnell Ltd for its construction.

Built on the site of the former Mitchell House home, it will provide rooms for 80 people alongside facilities including a shop, cafe and hair salon for its residents.

Speaking during a visit on Monday, Cllr Lesley Dedman, cabinet member for adults and health and a former care home owner, described the new centre as “incredible”.

“I don’t think there’s ever going to be a time when we don’t need care homes,” she said.

“However much we have care in the community or people in their own homes, and work hard to do that, at the end of the day there is always going to be a need for this type of facility.

“Of its type, this one really is fantastic – we are really, really proud of it and think it’s going to do a fantastic job for the community.”

The care home, which will be run by Shaw Healthcare on a 10-year contract, is centred around a larger central courtyard and garden which includes raised planters and games for residents.

Solar panels have been installed on its roof, providing most of the electricity required for its day-to-day running.

Among the 80 beds are two specialist bariatric rooms and 20 rooms which will be managed by Dorset Clinical Commissioning Group as a transitional facility for people coming out of hospital.

Phil Hornsby, BCP Council director of adult social care commissioning, said the council was always looking at ways to provide more beds at affordable rates.

“This site was prime for another care home and this was an opportunity we couldn’t let pass us by,” he said.

“What we are trying to do is to make sure we have good quality care but also that it’s cost effective and affordable to the council.”

Ward councillor Sandra Moore said people living nearby had suffered “a huge amount of inconvenience” during the home’s construction but the home would bring about an “important” increase to care provision in the area.

The first residents of the home are due to move in in September with it expected to be full shortly after Christmas.