Extra care plans approved

A new £5 million extra care scheme for older people has been given the green light.

The exciting development at Lile Close in Richmond will provide 39 two bedroom apartments, the majority of which will be for rent with a few available to purchase on a shared ownership basis. In addition to the comfortable and well appointed apartments the scheme will provide a number of communal facilities, including hairdressing salon, restaurant, resource room and sensory room, all of which will be accessible to the local community.

Developed by Housing 21 in partnership with Richmondshire District Council and North Yorkshire County Council, the scheme will provide residents with independent living as well as 24 hour care and support, should they need it.

Clare Hemming, development programme manager for Housing 21 said: “This is an exciting project to be working on with the district and county councils. Extra care housing gives tenants their independence along with a range of on-site facilities.As well as providing homes for older people, this new scheme will provide a valuable resource for other older people living nearby.”

The building, which will replace an outdated sheltered scheme, will be finished in stone to complement the surrounding area and will be built to the equivalent of Code level 3 of the Code for Sustainable Homes, ensuring that 10% of the energy used will be from renewable sources.

Councillor Peter Wood, Richmondshire District Council’s spokesperson on housing said he was very excited about the new development. “This is going to be an outstanding development for Richmondshire providing our residents with a great facility. If it turns out half as good as the Sycamore Hall scheme in Bainbridge undertaken with Housing 21 we will be more than happy.”

County Councillor Chris Metcalfe, Executive Member for North Yorkshire County Council’s Adult and Community Services added: “Extra Care developments are tremendous assets to the communities in which they sit. The wonderful facilities at Lile Close will be able to be used by everyone in the area and it will become a great hub for activities and socialising. People who live in Extra Care benefit from living in their own home with care available to them if and when they require it.”
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The scheme, which is being constructed by fhm (Frank Haslam Milan), is scheduled for completion by March, 2011.