Green light for flagship extra care scheme

Green light for flagship extra care scheme

Representatives from Housing Plus, which is developing the extra care scheme, and South Staffordshire Council, and other key stakeholders met on the development site on Wednesday, May 9, to mark the go-ahead for the scheme.

The development will see the site of the former Silverdene care home, at Tildesely Close, Penkridge, turned into an extra care scheme of 82 high-quality purpose-built apartments for people aged mainly over 55.

Work on the development, including demolishing a number of disused properties on the site, is due to be started in June, with anticipated completion by November 2013.

The £13million project is receiving £1.14million investment from the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA), and £1.1million from South Staffordshire Council, as well as a donation of land, to provide homes for the rapidly growing number of older people in the district requiring care and support.

South Staffordshire has the fastest growing over 85s population in the UK.

Care Plus, which is part of Housing Plus along with South Staffordshire Housing Association, will be managing the scheme. It will provide options for care and support packages tailored around residents’ needs and wishes to ensure they retain their independence and have an enhanced quality of life.

The modern apartments will be within an attractive, light and airy building that will also include a café, restaurant, hairdressing salon and gym for use by residents and the wider community.

Ursula Bennion, director of business development for Housing Plus, said: “Silverdene will be a flagship development for the district, which is leading the way in providing extra care accommodation and related support services.

“The scheme will provide much-needed high-quality housing and support for local people. Almost a quarter of residents in the village of Penkridge are aged between 50 and 64 and Silverdene is designed to meet the housing needs of not just these people but for others who need care and support,  for many years to come.”

Councillor Brian Edwards, leader of South Staffordshire Council, said: “We desperately need facilities like this in the district. The population is getting older and with the baby-boomer generation fast approaching retirement age, it means we need to act now. That’s why we’re investing more than £1million into this project; that’s how important we think this development is.”

Baggi Matu, area manager at the HCA, said “We are delighted that HCA investment is able to support this scheme which is a key priority for South Staffordshire and that it will go on to meet the housing needs of elderly people for many years to come.”

Ursula Bennion added: “We are delighted to have gained planning permission and would like to thank South Staffordshire Council, Penkridge Parish Council, Staffordshire County Council and other local stakeholders for their support. Particular thanks to the out-going chair of South Staffordshire Council, Cllr Sonja Oatley, and council officers, who have shown real understanding for the concept of extra care housing and the benefits this scheme will bring to the local community.”