New £15.1m extra care development in Merseyside called Jackson Gardens has been delivered by Liverpool-based ForHousing and comprises 90 new homes. Tony McDonough reports
Housing association ForHousing has completed work on a £15.1m extra care development in Merseyside.
Liverpool-based ForHousing has delivered the 90-home Jackson Gardens scheme in Stockbridge Village on behalf of Knowsley Council. It comprises 64 one and two-bedroom apartments and 26 bungalows.
It includes landscaped gardens, an on-site bistro and communal facilities including lounges, laundry, spa and treatment room for tenants to use and enjoy. The apartments are for those who need extra-care and the scheme provides 24-hour support to enable tenants to live safely but independently.
The bungalows are available for extra-care tenants with lower care needs too. Seven of these homes have also been made available for younger people with lifelong disabilities requiring on-going support.
ForHousing is working with Knowsley Council, who are allocating the homes to tenants following a care needs assessment. You can find out more on the Council’s website about how to apply for extra care homes and register on Property Pool Plus.
Kathleen Collier aged 74 who moved into one of the bungalows said: “I love my new home it’s bright and clean, I’m made up with it. My garden is fabulous too”.
Another new tenant, 77-year-old George Notley said: “Living here gives me a lot of peace of mind, there’s a lot of people you can go to. I’m looking forward to settling in, getting on my veranda and getting on the bowling green. I can’t wait for the summer, it’s going to be fantastic.”
The development is part of a wider plan to bring new affordable homes to Stockbridge Village. Nigel Sedman, group director of Homes at ForHousing said: “Jackson Gardens is a vibrant, welcoming development which provides tenants with a safe place to live and access to the support and care they need.
“The scheme has been designed using the principles of intentional communities, integrating the facility within the wider community. We’re committed to improving lives and wellbeing by providing quality, affordable homes for people in places where they’re proud to live.”
Earlier this year, ForHousing completed work on the first new affordable homes to be built in the area for more than a decade with a 16-home development on the former site of the Barley Mow pub.
A further 24 new homes for Affordable Rent are currently under construction on the former site of St Jude’s Church and are due for completion in summer 2021, with a second phase to follow on, on adjacent land.
Cllr Louise Harbour, Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care at Knowsley Council, added: “I’m delighted that Jackson Gardens is now open, offering greater choice for residents who want to live independently, but with help and support available if needed.”