Member Article

Doncaster's Keepmoat awarded £8.4 million contract in Mansfield

National housing and regeneration specialist Keepmoat has secured an £8.4 million contract with Mansfield District Council to develop a specialist housing scheme for the over 55s – further strengthening its extra care portfolio.

The extra care housing development will see 64 bungalows, houses and apartments built on Brownlow Road by November 2015 and will bring jobs and training opportunities to the area through the use of local suppliers. The scheme is part of the wider regeneration of the area.

Keepmoat will work in partnership with Mansfield District Council and Nottinghamshire County Council on the development.

The District Council, which owns the land, has invested around £11 million preparing the site and will contribute more than £3 million towards the development.

The County Council will provide up to £4 million creating 48 of the extra care homes, including 10 bungalows designed for people with dementia.

For people who are looking to downsize but remain a home owner, there will be 10 shared ownership properties – five two-bedroom bungalows and five two-bedroom houses. There will also be a range of communal facilities.

The Department of Health has provided £1.3 million in grant funding through the Homes and Communities Agency. With the national population ageing and living longer, well designed, quality housing is needed more than ever to enable people to live in their own home independently for as long as possible.

Extra care housing provides a choice of well-designed accommodation for people aged 55 and over who are looking to downsize or have a care need, offering a real and modern alternative to residential care.

Martin Smithurst, regional managing director for Keepmoat, said: “We are delighted to be working in partnership with Mansfield District Council and Nottinghamshire County Council on the development of this extra care scheme, which will not only enhance the regeneration of the area but provide much needed supported accommodation for older people.

“Keepmoat is the largest builder of extra care schemes in Britain and we have a strong track record in providing housing support for older and vulnerable people.

“This will be a flagship scheme for Mansfield and will demonstrate how effectively we work with our partners to build these much needed developments.”

The redevelopment of the site will be managed by the District Council and once completed the properties will be let by the District Council to people nominated by the County Council that have extra care needs.

The executive mayor of Mansfield, Tony Egginton, said: “I am delighted that work is due to start imminently on this exciting new development, which will enable older people to remain living independently in their own homes, while having more choice and control over their care. We are committed to regenerating the area, increasing the provision of new homes and supporting our most vulnerable residents.”

Councillor Muriel Weisz, chair of Nottinghamshire County Council’s Adult Social Care and Health Committee, said: “It’s great news that we are about to start work with Keepmoat to create this extra care development in Mansfield, which will give local older people an alternative to traditional residential care if they can no longer live at home.

“The fantastic thing about extra care is that it offers a home for life where older people have their own front door with the comfort of care staff being nearby if needed.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Becki Ord .