Cornwall Council is seeking a partnership to help deliver the first 750 of 3,500 new residential care units.

The council has pledged to deliver the extra units by 2025 and is taking submissions from potential partners or a collaboration of partners.

The extra care units will allow people to live in their own homes with care and support available around the clock if necessary.

An extra care living facility in Liskeard is already supporting people to live independently with care and support available 24 hours a day, seven days a week if needed.

Bruce Parker, who is in his early 70’s, has been living there with his wife since it opened. He said: “Living here has made such a difference, before when we were struggling we had no one, now all we have to do is press a button and the staff are there, they’re wonderful really."

Nearly one in four residents of Cornwall are aged over 65, and this number is set to increase by a further 40 percent over the next 20 years, highlighting the need for extra care homes to help people remain living independently.

Cornwall Council portfolio holder for adults Rob Rotchell said: “Extra care homes are a good way for people to maintain their independence while also being able to access any care and support they might need.

“We want people to have a better range of living options so they can still live independently, within their community and near family and friends. Evidence shows that this leads to healthier and happier lives. This in turn reduces the need to use health and social care services, alleviating demand on already stretched services.”

All of the proposed developments will be co-designed with local communities to recognise the different characters of towns in Cornwall.

Interested parties can apply through the Council’s Due North e-portal www.supplyingthesouthwest.org.uk and express an interest in “DN350137 Strategic partners for the development, delivery and operation of extra care houses in Cornwall”.