WORK has begun on a new £4.9m care facility in Abingdon.

A construction team made up of builders from Wantage, working for national firm Stepnell, will rebuild what was Mayott House, Ock Street, by next March.

The new two-storey development of 42 “extra care” apartments will be run by the Order of St John Care Trust (OSJCT) and housing provider Bhpa.

The trust’s head of property, Mark Holmes, said: “The unique design of this extra care housing scheme not only promotes a healthier, active and more independent lifestyle for older people, but also provides residents with the security of living in a high-quality home with a tailor-made care plan to suit their individual needs.”

Extra care housing is designed to allow residents to live more independently than in a care home, but with access to 24-hour care.

The Ock Street development, designed by The Design Partnership, will have communal facilities including dining and sitting rooms, a sun lounge, hair salon and a laundry.

The facility is funded by the Government’s Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) and Oxfordshire County Council.

Stepnell director Tom Wakeford said: “Our team brings significant experience in the design and development of new extra care housing to an extremely high standard.”

The home aims to be energy-efficient with solar roof panels.

Once complete, it will employ about 30 full- and part-time staff.

Bhpa director of development, Sarah Ireland, said: “This latest development is part of our strategic plan to assist Oxfordshire County Council in their delivery of their Older People’s Joint Commissioning Strategy.”