Housing group ForViva to create £12.4m extra care facility in Merseyside

Housing group ForViva has revealed plans for a multi-million pound extra care facility in Merseyside.

The £12.4m investment will create 64 extra care homes and 26 bungalows at The Withens scheme in Stockbridge Village.

Apartments at the site will be available for affordable rent, while the one- and two-bed bungalows will be available for shared ownership.

ForViva said the new build homes will be the first on the Stockbridge estate in 10 years.

The organisation’s deputy chief exec, Colette McKune, said: “We are proud to be bringing forward the first development in Stockbridge in nearly a decade, and delivering the kind of supported housing that offers a lifeline for vulnerable people living in the community who want to continue to live independent lives.”

With Knowsley Council forecasting a significant rise in the number of older people living in the Stockbridge area over the next few years, the authority believes accommodation like The Withens will be crucial in providing elderly and vulnerable residents with the support they need.

Mark Butterworth, Assistant Chief Executive of Knowsley Council, commented: “I’m delighted that the extra care scheme in Stockbridge Village is progressing, as it will provide high quality accommodation to meet both demand and the needs of our residents.

“This latest development will complement a number of other high quality extra care schemes in Halewood, Huyton, and Kirkby, and a further development is also nearing completion in Prescot.”

ForViva Group owns and manages a portfolio of 18k homes across the North West.

Work on the new homes at The Withens will begin in August 2017, with completion due in January 2019.