Construction work starts on a £33m Liverpool city region site that will see 130 new homes built including 90 ‘extra care’ apartments. Tony McDonough reports
Housing association Riverside Group has started work on a £33m housing scheme close to the Merseyside coast.
Riverside is building 130 homes on the currently empty Sandbrook Road site in Ainsdale. It acquired the land from Sefton Council. The homes will include 90 extra care apartments.
Extra care housing provides a supportive environment that promotes independence and security for people who need additional help. Some properties will be for short-term accommodation providing a lifeline for people facing transitional challenges in their lives.
The remaining 40 homes will be available for rent and shared ownership. Representatives from Sefton Council, Riverside and Countryside Partnerships gathered to celebrate the start of work to make the site ready. The scheme is due to complete in 2026.
Also present were members of the Sandbrook Coproduction Group, which includes individuals who have lived experience of autism and learning disabilities. The group has worked with Sefton Council and Riverside to design eight of the homes.
These will form a short-term assessment unit at the Sandbrook Road development. This accommodation is designed to help residents who are neurodiverse and may have learning disabilities get their needs assessed and a plan set out for their future.
Sandbrook Coproduction Group also designed a sensory room and garden to go alongside the unit, using their lived experience to create blueprints for the ideal short-term living space.
Riverside is delivering the development as part of its strategic partnership with Homes England, the Government’s housing and regeneration agency.
Nick Jones, director of development and growth at Riverside, said: “At Riverside, we pride ourselves in being one of the UK’s largest providers of housing and care services.
READ MORE: Manufacturer Warwick wins contract on 45 new homes
READ MORE: Zoe’s Place launches appeal to build £3.5m new home
“This scheme will enable us to deliver an inclusive community that not only supports local people to step onto the property ladder through a choice of quality homes but offers individuals options to continue living independently.
“It’s great to be progressing on our ambitions to transform this brownfield site through the delivery of affordable, energy efficient housing and want to thank Sefton Council and Homes England for their support.”
Cllr Marion Atkinson, leader of Sefton Council, added: “Turning a disused site into one which offers a range of housing options, including much-needed affordable housing, will be a huge benefit to the people who will live and stay here.”