DETAILS of a £10.4 million project to replace the old Bingley Hospital into a state-of-the-art extra care and dementia unit have been revealed.

Approval to transform the Fernbank Drive site was granted last year on the casting vote of a planning committee chairman and now charitable organisation The Abbeyfield Society together with Leeds-based Bardsley Construction has unveiled the scheme in full.

Bardsley will build 47 one and two-bedroom apartments, a dementia wing with 30 individual rooms for the care of residents and a day centre for community use by the elderly.

The 7,800 sq metre development will cover seven floors and feature communal facilities for residents such as a restaurant and lounge, hair and beauty salon, laundry, lounges, treatment rooms and a kiosk.

There will also be a kitchen and extensive landscaping including secure ‘sensory’ gardens and roof terraces for residents and visitors.

Work has already started on site and is due to be completed in June 2016.

The Abbeyfield Society, based in St Albans, Hertfordshire, is a national charity that provides housing, support and care for people at different stages of later life.

Shipley MP Philip Davies, whose constituency includes Bingley, is a campaigner for increased services for the elderly and infirm and commented:

“Dementia is a terrible illness and a growing problem across the country.

"It is wonderful that such a state-of-the-art facility to support people with dementia will be opened in Bingley and I am extremely grateful to the Abbeyfield Society for their investment and congratulate them on all the work they do”

Adrian Rooney, regional manager of Bardsley Construction Yorkshire, said the innovative building would consist of concrete retaining walls with the exterior consisting mainly of cast stone and render and a timber truss roof covered by cement slate.

He added: “This prestigious and specialist development is a truly landmark project for Bardsley Yorkshire.

Richard Virr, head of development at Abbeyfield, added: “We are really pleased that work on this specialist scheme is now going ahead. This development will bring major benefits to the local community.

“Both residents of the house and visitors of the day centre will benefit from expert care. An important part of this new development will be its social community hub element, which will integrate and introduce those living locally to Abbeyfield in Bingley.”