Community leaders were invited to the first official viewing of a new 55-bed care home that has been built in St Ives.

Community leaders were invited to the first official viewing of a new 55-bed care home that has been built in St Ives.

Eden Place, in Langley Close, is managed by housing provider Luminus and was built with the backing of Huntingdonshire District Council, which committed £5.5million of public funds to the project.

Luminus will repay the funds as part of a 30-year loan agreement with the district council.

The facility will provide one and two-bedroom apartments for older people with extra care needs.

Among guests to attend the preview were the mayor of St Ives, Councillor Debbie Townsend, Huntingdon MP Jonathan Djanogly, and the leader of Huntingdonshire District Council, Councillor Robin Howe.

Chan Abraham, Luminus Group chief executive, said: “Luminus and our partners in the local authorities and construction teams have been working hard to bring make this happen, with our focus being on providing much needed homes for older residents.

“Eden Place will provide much-needed homes for older people, in peaceful and inspiring surroundings as part of a supportive community. We wanted to create a place where we’d be happy for our own elderly relatives to live. This is that place.”

Guests were able to take a tour of the facilities which include a fully landscaped garden, restaurant, hairdresser, laundry room, physiotherapy room and a guest suite available to residents’ visitors.

Residents who are eligible for the scheme began moving into Eden Place during December.

Mr Djanogly said: “I’m really pleased that after what was such a long gestation period, Eden Place has turned out so well. Eden Place is wonderfully spacious and open with marvellously large corridors.

“It gives a totally different feeling that you don’t usually have in a residential home. It makes a tremendous impression. It is going to make such an important contribution to the local community.”

To find out more about the scheme, or whether you are eligible for a place, contact Luminus on 0345 266 9760.