Oyster Care Homes has hosted a topping out ceremony for Somer Valley House in Midsomer Norton, Somerset, a 66-bed care home scheduled to open in October.

Somer Valley House is equipped with solar panels, a battery store capable of holding two days’ energy, and ground-source heating.

The topping out ceremony marked the completion of the roofing stage, paving the way for the next phases of construction. It was attended by Dan Norris, mayor of the West of England.

Fellow guest Siobhan Waterhouse, head teacher at Norton Hill Primary School said: “I’m incredibly excited about the opening of Somer Valley House just across the road. This presents a wonderful opportunity for intergenerational relationships to blossom, enriching both our students’ learning experiences and the wider community.”

Oyster Care Homes’ chief executive Tim Buckley commented: “This milestone not only celebrates our construction progress, but also reaffirms our dedication to the Midsomer Norton community and to setting new standards in the care home industry. We are committed to ensuring that Somer Valley House provides a nurturing, innovative home for our residents, positively impacting the area’s social fabric and economy.”

George Crockford, site manager from the home’s developer LNT said: “LNT is delighted to partner with Oyster Care Homes on their fourth project. This partnership showcases our shared goal of delivering exceptional care environments that prioritise residents’ wellbeing and comfort.”

Somer Valley House is expected to create more than 100 jobs.