Ground-Breaking Ceremony Marks Start of £5.5m Extra Care Housing Development

Strategic Insights -

Sunderland City Council, Housing 21, and Frank Haslam Milan (FHM) have marked the start of work on a £5.5m extra care housing development for older people with a ground-breaking ceremony. The Woodridge Gardens project, located on the site of the former Woodlands Residential Home in Oxclose Road, Washington, will provide 39 two-bedroom apartments for rent, sale, or shared ownership. The development will feature a restaurant, communal areas, multi-purpose activity areas, a hair salon, a communal laundry, full wheelchair access, and landscaped gardens.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Woodridge Gardens project is a £5.5m extra care housing development for older people, located on the site of the former Woodlands Residential Home in Oxclose Road, Washington.
  • The development will provide 39 two-bedroom apartments for rent, sale, or shared ownership, each with its own front door, fully fitted kitchen, walk-in shower, and full central heating.
  • The apartments will feature a restaurant, communal areas, multi-purpose activity areas, a hair salon, a communal laundry, full wheelchair access, and landscaped gardens.
  • The scheme will provide a court manager and a care and support service will be available through the day and night.
  • The Woodridge Gardens project is part of Sunderland City Council's extra care housing programme, which aims to provide a new kind of housing that is at the heart of the city's vision for modernising care and support services for older people.
  • The development is one of three extra care housing schemes in the Sunderland area, with the first, Beckwith Mews in Silksworth, opening to residents in April, and work on Bramble Hollow in Hetton has also started.
  • Housing 21 director of new business and development Tayo Bilewu said: "We are delighted to be working with Sunderland City Council on this very exciting development for older people."
  • Managing Director of FHM North East David Mellor said: "We are building homes with a difference for older people, providing independent, safe, and secure housing."
  • Coun Harry Trueman, Sunderland City Council portfolio holder for housing and public health, said: "This type of accommodation allows residents to continue to enjoy their independence while at the same time feeling safe in the knowledge that care and support is available 24/7 should they need it."

Statistics:

  • The Woodridge Gardens project has a total budget of £5.5m.
  • The development will provide 39 two-bedroom apartments for rent, sale, or shared ownership.
  • The apartments will have their own front door, fully fitted kitchen, walk-in shower, and full central heating.
  • The scheme will provide a court manager and a care and support service will be available through the day and night.
  • The Woodridge Gardens project is expected to be completed in November this year.

Sources:

  • Byline: Helen Rae
  • "Byline: Helen Rae" - The Sunderland Echo