Mayor visits new housing scheme for older people

North Tyneside elected mayor, Linda Arkley, joined housing and care professionals to take a look around a brand new extra care housing scheme in Killingworth this week.

Rowan Croft is a 45 apartment complex for older people and is the first of two extra care schemes being developed in North Tyneside through a partnership between North Tyneside Council, Frank Haslam Milan and Housing 21.

Mrs Arkley had the opportunity to view a furnished show flat as well as the many on-site facilities, including a restaurant, hairdressing salon, library, activities room, guest room, laundry and landscaped garden.

North Tyneside elected mayor, Linda Arkley, said: "We want older people in the borough to be healthy and part of strong communities.

"This extra care scheme, with another due to open next month, is one of the ways that we can help older with a range of needs to stay active and independent. Rowan Croft is a state-of-the-art facility and I hope its new residents really enjoy living there."

Built on the site of the former Sir James Bowman residential care home, Rowan Croft provides two-bedroom spacious apartments to rent or to buy. Residents will enjoy the benefits of independent living along with round the clock care and support, should they need it. The first residents at Rowan Croft will move in to their new homes on mid February.

Clare Hemming, Development Programme Manager for Housing 21 said: “These apartments have been built to a high standard and are fitted with emergency call facilities and security door entry system, making them safe and secure.

“Extra care housing provides tenants with independence, allowing them to live in their own home in a communal setting, but with the reassurance of care and support being available on site 24 hours a day.”

Andrew McIntosh, Finance Director of FHM, said: “We have extensive experience of developing extra care housing schemes across the region and Rowan Croft is the first of such schemes that we have successfully delivered for North Tyneside Council and Housing 21.

“This exciting new development provides an excellent range of facilities for residents to live in a safe and friendly environment and I hope that they will enjoy many happy years living at Rowan Croft.”

A number of apartments are still available for rent and prospective tenants must be aged 55 or over, in need of care and support and have a local connection. To find out whether they are eligible or to apply, interested applicants should contact Housing 21’s Lettings Team on 0345 606 6363.

A second extra care development for older people at Linskill Park on Linskill Terrace is due for completion in March.