More than 135 new homes designed to help older people live independently are set to be provided across two Surrey sites under plans approved today.
Surrey County Council’s Cabinet backed plans to develop sites in Surrey Heath and Epsom for extra care housing where residents will be able to enjoy the freedom of their own front doors and the reassurance that support workers are always on site.
With plans unveiled last year for 165 homes, the total now announced is around 300 – another milestone towards the county council’s goal of creating 725 new homes in extra care housing schemes within the next decade.
Sinead Mooney, Surrey County Council’s Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care and Public Health, said: “We’ve now announced the first five sites for new extra care housing in Surrey which we expect to provide around 300 new homes – getting on for half of our ambitious target.
“Older people with care and support needs will be able to enjoy privacy and independence with their own front door, safe in the knowledge that support workers are close at hand day and night.
“As well as support from care staff, we want the schemes to feature the latest technology and designs which will help towards enabling residents to live independent and fulfilling lives for as long as possible. For many, the benefits of extra care housing will stave off a hospital admission or a move to a residential or nursing care home.”
The two new sites earmarked for extra care housing, which will between them provide 136 homes, are:
*Land at Salisbury Road, Epsom, Epsom and Ewell
*Land near Lakeside, Frimley, Surrey Heath
The developments, which will bring into use the county council’s own land, will be in keeping with the local area and open up some facilities to the community. The county council will now launch a full tender process to seek a strategic development and housing management partner for the schemes. More information is available here (item 12).
The three sites already announced are in Guildford, Camberley and Ottershaw. More information can be found here.
Extra care housing allows residents to stay local to friends and family and continue to be involved with the local community but in accommodation better suited to their needs. All the schemes will boast technological and design features to enable residents to lead active and independent lives as far as their health allows. Find out more here.
The developments will be close to the heart of the community and within a short distance of local amenities. They will include a mix of one and two bed apartments and will boast communal facilities for residents to enjoy such as a lounge, café, landscaped garden and mobility scooter store.
