Yarnton’s first extra care scheme gets underway
A GROUNDBREAKING ceremony was held yesterday to mark the start of work on a new extra care housing scheme for older people in Yarnton in Oxfordshire.
Guests from Housing 21, Oxfordshire County Council, Cherwell District Council and Willmott Dixon gathered at the site to celebrate the start of construction on the 50 apartment scheme, the first of its kind to be built in the local area.
Sara Naylor Wild, Locality Manager for Housing 21 said: “We’re delighted to see this exciting development getting underway. Extra care housing enables older people to enjoy independent living along with 24 hour care and support on site, making it an excellent alternative to more traditional approaches.”
County Councillor Arash Fatemian, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet member for Adult Services, said: “The vast majority of people want to live as independently for as long as possible, but to do this you need the support and facilities in place. Extra care facilities like this one mean that people can continue to have their own homes and take advantage of extra help when they need it.
“To achieve this we have a long-term aim to have more than 900 extra care places in Oxfordshire and the Yarton project will take us a good way towards that target.”
Cllr Debbie Pickford, CDC Lead Member for Housing added: “I welcome this high quality affordable housing which offers rent and purchase options for those considering downsizing. The new local employment opportunities provided by the scheme are an excellent bonus.”
The new scheme will provide apartments of either one or two bedrooms with options to rent or purchase on a shared ownership basis. A restaurant and hairdressing salon will also be available, both of which will be accessible to the wider local community.
The scheme, which is set to open in 2014 is being delivered as part of Housing 21’s Approved Development Programme with the Homes and Communities Agency.
Further information on the rental properties can be obtained from Housing 21 on 0345 606 6363. For Sales enquiries please contact the sales team on 0345 608 4021.
For further media information, please contact Wendy Gornicki, PR & Information Officer, Housing 21 on 0370 192 4338 or email wendy.gornicki@housing21.co.uk
Housing 21’s mission is to promote independence and choice for older people through quality care, health and housing services. It provides around 130,000 hours of care each week and manages around 19,000 sheltered and extra care apartments, providing services to more than 31,000 service users.
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