GLOUCESTERSHIRE County Council is set to approve a £57 million investment over the next four-and-a-half years to build three new care homes in the county.

Following a meeting on Wednesday, March 5, the council’s Cabinet will be asked to approve the plans to help address capacity issues.

Two locations for the new homes have already been suggested. The former GIS site in Cinderford and the former Elms Care Home site and Stonehouse Library site. The plans would see construction begin in May 2026, with them expected to open in early 2028.

Cllr Carole Allaway-Martin, Cabinet member responsible for Adult Social Care at Gloucestershire County Council, said: “I am proud that we are committing this significant investment into services for older people in the county. The needs of our older people are becoming ever more complex and we must make sure that we have the right facilities, in the right locations for those who need the highest level of care.”

The council says the new care homes will allow more residents to receive care closer to where they have lived previously, or to their support networks, running alongside the council’s changes to community services to remain in their own homes.

A spokesperson for the council said: “The approach provides an opportunity for people to enjoy greater independence for longer, reducing the reliance on care homes and enhancing their quality of life.”

The council says the homes aim to provide high-quality environments that incorporate technology to enhance care, including individuals with dementia. It will ensure residents can remain within their local community.

Further details about the plans can be found in the Cabinet’s report, which is available via Gloucestershire County Council’s website.