WORKS on a new private mental health unit in Rhyl should be completed by the end of October.
The unit will be situated at 64 Brighton Road, a site which was previously used for benefits offices for Denbighshire County Council.
Nadarajah Pragash, of Headlands Nursing Home, Llangollen, submitted the proposals to the council in early 2020, which were granted planning permission in June of that year.
Wynne Construction, who have been contracted to design and build the 62-bedroom mental health facility, with the works also including alterations and adaptations of the existing three storey building, said: "We are halfway through the build and are on track to complete the project by the end of October 2024.
“In terms of the next developments on site, with the fitting of new windows and cladding almost completed, the external render is currently underway.
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“Internally, all 62 bedrooms have been built and the mechanical and electrical first fix is in the final stages, with the team commencing plastering in the upcoming weeks.
“The team is making good progress on site, and we look forward to seeing the once-vacant building in the town centre become an essential facility to boost patient care.
“As part of the scheme, Wynne has provided a 12-week placement, arranged in partnership with Working Denbighshire for a person who was previously unemployed and work experience for bricklayer student who had recently left college.
"Both placements have led to further employment opportunities.”
Last year, Mr Pragash said that he hoped the new standalone unit, which will comprise 62 beds and five wards for residential nursing and health care, will be open between October 2024 and January 2025.
A previous application, for conversion to a hospital for the residential nursing and health care for those with mental disorder and who may have associated personality and trauma-related issues, was refused by the local authority’s planning committee on July 19 2019.
The decision was later upheld on appeal by a Welsh Government inspector, the main ground being that not enough research had been done into possible alternative sites.
The building was originally constructed in the early 1970’s as offices for the ‘Department of Health and Social Security’ until it was taken over for use by Denbighshire County Council.
The property has remained empty since vacated by the county council in March 2017.
Over the years the property has suffered from forced access, vandalism, and theft as well as anti-social behaviour.
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