Ground breaks for new extra care scheme

Published by 792 for Housing 21 in Housing and also in Communities, Health, Local Government

Residents of Greets Green are a step closer to having a new extra care scheme for older people following a special ground-breaking ceremony.  

Work on the £12.5 million Goldfield Court, Dartmouth Street, development was marked in the event last Friday when the project partners - Housing 21, Sandwell Council, the Homes and Communities Agency and Thomas Vale Construction – gathered together to celebrate the turning of the first patch of earth.

Goldfield Court will provide 92 new self-contained apartments for the over-55s, including rented and shared ownership properties. There will also be community facilities including a shop, restaurant and hair and beauty salon.

Julia Godwin, development programme manager for Housing 21 said: “We are delighted to see construction of Goldfield Court getting underway. This new extra care scheme will provide residents with a safe and secure environment in which to live an independent lifestyle in a community setting.”

Councillor Linda Horton, Sandwell Council's cabinet member for adult social care, said: "This is an exciting step forward in the development of Sandwell's latest extra care housing facility.

"This will provide high quality accommodation and increased choice and independence for local older people as well as new facilities open to the whole community."

Ian Cox, development and partnership director at Thomas Vale Construction added: “This is great news for local economy, providing much needed work for local supply chain partners, along with new training opportunities for those looking for a career in the Construction sector” 

Apartments at the new scheme, which has received funding of £5 million from the Homes and Communities Agency, will each have a fully fitted kitchen and walk-in shower with non-slip flooring to the kitchen and bathroom. Staff on-site will provide care and support, tailored to meet individual needs.

Rob Kilby, investment and regeneration manager for the HCA, Midlands said; “Goldfield Court is going to be a fantastic facility for the local community and we are pleased to be supporting Sandwell Council and partners at Housing 21 and Thomas Vale to deliver this important project for the area’s elderly community.”

Goldfield Court is due to complete in 2012 and is the second Housing 21 extra care housing scheme to be provided in Sandwell. The first, Queensridge Court in Oldbury welcomed its first residents in November, 2010.