Madeley Extra Care development takes shape

Plans for a brand new Extra Care scheme in Madeley, Staffordshire have taken a great leap forward following the announcement that a funding bid has been successful.

Staffordshire County Council and Housing 21 have worked together to create plans for an Extra Care scheme and have received the news that £1.81 million of Housing Corporation funding has now been secured.

The scheme, which will include 63 two-bed apartments provided by Housing 21 at the site of the former Lea House Care Home, are to form part of a unique partnership between the county and a village community project that will see a wide range of facilities, services and resources being built and provided for Madeley and its village neighbours.

The volunteer-led Madeley Community Development Project will see Housing 21 working closely with the local Community Development Group and a range of partners including the County Council and Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council to replace the Old Village Hall and Scout Hut with a new eco-friendly building. Amenities will include a community café, computer facilities, hair salon, general store and a number of other services for the local community, including residents at the Extra Care Scheme. The surrounding land already contains allotments, and will be managed in a wildlife-friendly way, able to host farmers' markets and environmental education activities.

County Councillor Susan Woodward, Cabinet Member for Healthier Communities and Older People said: This project will provide a benchmark for the future of extra care it just shows what partnership working can achieve. This innovative site will benefit everyone in the local community -people of all ages and were really pleased to be involved in its development.

We have had to make some tough decisions about how we provide adult care services in Staffordshire to make ourselves fit for the future. The Madeley scheme will allow us to start realising our plans. We can really make a difference to the provision of care and support for older people in the local area.

Commenting on the joint venture, Juliette Daniel, Development Programme Manager for Housing 21 said: We are delighted to be working in partnership with Staffordshire County Council and the Madeley Community Development Group on this exciting project.

The concept of joining two schemes together in this way the Extra Care and the community building is very unusual. This is a development that will bring huge benefit, both to the local community and to the residents of the extra care scheme, delivering a vast range of health and care sector services under one roof.

The Madeley project will, I am sure, set a new standard for Extra Care housing.

Pat Callaghan of the Madeley Community Development Group Project said: It's excellent news, and confirms there is confidence in this bold partnership of village and county. The new buildings will help us to become a low carbon community, combat climate change and benefit not just Madeley residents but all the neighbouring villages as well."

Work is due to commence on the Extra Care scheme in Spring 2009 and be completed by the following Summer.