Lovell to build Aylsham housing with care scheme

Affordable housing specialist Lovell  is set to build a £3 million housing with care scheme at Aylsham, Norfolk, for Wherry Housing Association, part of the Circle Group.

The scheme will create 21 one-bedroom and nine two-bedroom flats for residents aged 60 and over. It will include 20 homes for social rent as well as ten market sale and shared ownership properties. Although each flat is self-contained, giving residents independence, fully trained staff from a registered care provider will also be on hand around the clock offering care and support.

Each flat will have wheelchair-accessible bathrooms and its own kitchen. Communal facilities will include activity and dining areas, a laundry, a guest suite and an assisted bathroom, as well as a hairdressing salon.

The apartments will form part of the St Michael's Care Complex, on land behind the St Michael's hospital site in Aylsham. The complex involves an innovative partnership between agencies including the NHS and Aylsham Care Trust.  When completed it will comprise a care home with nursing, a health centre and a community centre as well as the housing with care scheme.

Work on the housing with care scheme will start in May 2011. It is scheduled to be completed in Summer 2012.

Four flats will be offered for outright sale with 75 per cent equity shares offered in a further six apartments. All the homes will be bound by legal agreements to ensure their continued availability to local older people in the future.

Keith Bunn, business growth manager for Circle, said: "This is a great example of how partnership work can make a positive difference to peoples' lives. We are excited to be part of this scheme and are looking forward to start work in May."

Lovell business development manager Peter Graves says: "This development will create high-quality apartments for older people, giving them the opportunity to live independently, secure in the knowledge that help is always available if they need it. Our team has extensive expertise in delivering housing with care developments and we are committed to working closely with Circle to deliver modern, comfortable accommodation built to a very exacting standard."