Carnegie Court in Runcorn will comprise 36 apartments built on the site of the current Waterloo Centre, which will be demolished by developer and housing association Signature Supported Housing
Halton-based housing association and developer Signature Supported Housing has unveiled plans for a new supported living development and community hub.
Carnegie Court in Runcorn will comprise 36 apartments built on the site of the current Waterloo Centre, which Signature plans to demolish. The apartments will be designed for people living with early onset dementia.
The adjoining Grade II-listed Carnegie Library will be sympathetically refurbished to create a community hub which would become home to a range of outreach services for the community. These will include community groups, library, employment services, NHS clinics, counselling, IT facilities, meeting rooms and workshops.
Owner and managing director of Signature Supported Housing, Rob Bryan, said: “Historically people living with dementia have been housed in unsuitable accommodation tucked away, almost out of sight. Carnegie Court would place them at the heart of the community with access to local amenities as well as having the use of services at the community hub next door.
“My mother passed away from dementia in a general ward which made a difficult experience that much harder for us as a family. Carnegie Court will provide first-class accommodation through to end of life and services for residents that are affordable and accessible for everyone.”
Signature has appointed architects, Pozzoni, to help deliver the project. Damian Utton, director and world-renowned specialist and author on designing for dementia said:
“This proposed development will provide much needed purpose-built housing for people in Runcorn living with dementia whilst also breathing new life into the splendid Grade II-listed Carnegie Library building.”
If given the green light, the development would deliver a number of employment opportunities, with tenders for the build being sought from Merseyside and Cheshire and subsequent staffing coming from the local area.