Village 135 – £20m Extra Care Scheme Officially Launched in Wythenshawe
Wythenshawe Community Housing Group (WCHG) was delighted to welcome Councillor Susan Cooley, Lord Mayor of Manchester, to officially launch Village 135, a new £20m Extra Care Scheme for Wythenshawe and South Manchester on Friday, 8th August 2014.
This marked the start of work on this £20m development, which will provide 135 much-needed homes for older people, with an anticipated completion by February 2016. Over £5m of the investment was awarded to WCHG via a Department of Health Care & Support Specialised Housing fund bid through the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA).
Deborah McLaughlin, NW Executive Director at the Homes & Communities Agency, said: "We are delighted to support the development of new homes for the over 55s in Wythenshawe. The scheme looks great - I’m sure the apartments and the community hub will be very popular with the local community, and will play a major part in establishing Wythenshawe as a place where people choose to live and work.”
Located on the junction of Brownley Road and Hollyhedge Road in Wythenshawe, these new modern, energy efficient homes will provide a mix of 66 apartments for affordable rent, 39 apartments for shared ownership and 30 apartments for outright sale.
Nigel Wilson, Chief Executive of Wythenshawe Community Housing Group, said; “We are delighted to launch this exciting new project, which marks the first major development since WCHG was created in April last year. These new Extra Care homes will provide housing for older people through a mixture of apartments for affordable rent, shared ownership and outright sales - giving the people of Wythenshawe a variety of housing options if they wish to downsize or want to find something better suited to their requirements.”
These purpose- built homes will ensure a high quality of life for older people by providing an on-site 24 hour care team and a range of facilities specifically catering for their needs. Residents will be able to live independent lives in their own 2 bedroom apartments and access the level of care necessary for needs, which can be adapted as needs change.
Consultation with local people has taken place so that they are aware of this new development and the fantastic resources it will bring for local people to enjoy. For instance, a Community Hub with a café will provide a focal point for residents and encourage social activity with the local community, who will also have access to this communal space. The development will be set in landscaped sensory gardens and the homes have been designed to meet full mobility and access under Lifetime Homes, ensuring the living spaces are flexible in design and are a generous size to meet the needs of the residents.
Eddy Newman, Chair of WCHG, said: “This new facility will also provide job opportunities for local people, both in the construction phase of the development, and when it is up and running. We also hope to work closely with The Manchester College in Wythenshawe to provide training and job opportunities in health and social care, catering and hair and beauty as part of the Community facilities on offer in the communal hub of the scheme.”
Councillor Susan Cooley, Lord Mayor of Manchester said; “I am especially pleased to launch this new development as my theme during my year as Lord Mayor is based on an Age Friendly Manchester. I wish Wythenshawe Community Housing Group all the very best in this new venture for the older people of Wythenshawe and South Manchester.”
Local MP, Mike Kane commented, “Support for older people will be a priority for me in my work as the local MP. I am pleased to see WCHG delivering a project which is directly addressing a gap in services for local residents. I look forward to continuing to work with WCHG on projects like this which are targeting community need.”
If anyone would like to find out more about these new homes for rent and sale, please contact Amanda Seals, Senior Manager, Extra Care on 0161 946 9581 or visit www.village135.org.uk.
