£10m New Silksworth care scheme tops out

A multi-million pound housing and care development taking shape on Wearside is celebrating a new construction milestone this week.

The £10m Hope Bank View facility in New Silksworth, Sunderland, has now topped out with work on the exterior build complete.

Staff of elderly care and accommodation firm Abbeyfield, the company behind the development, gathered to mark the milestone with representatives of Sunderland City Council, builders Tolent and quantity surveyors Elliott Associates.

Hope Bank View, located on Dene Street, will create 80 jobs and comprise 38 one-bedroom and 37 two-bedroom apartments offering independent living with additional care for over 55s.

The scheme is jointly financed by Abbeyfield and the Homes and Communities Agency, in partnership with Sunderland City Council and Tyneside firm Tolent Construction.

Abbeyfield’s project lead on the development, Jacquelene Notman, said: “We are delighted to have reached this milestone in our new building.

“This is Abbeyfield’s first development on Wearside, and the topping out is really something to celebrate as we move closer to welcoming in our first residents this November.”

She continued: “It has been very exciting to see Hope Bank View develop over the past few months into what will be a fantastic housing with additional care development for older people living in Wearside.

“Hope Bank View represents a major investment for Abbeyfield, and when complete will significantly boost the provision of independent living with care within this area, as well as provide local employment.”

Cllr Graeme Miller, Sunderland City Council’s Portfolio Holder for Health, Housing and Adult Social Care, commented: “As a city we are proud of our commitment to providing people with the type of supported accommodation they need to live independently as part of a community.

“Working with housing partners like Abbeyfield we can achieve that aim, and we welcome this development as an investment in the future of both those living here and of our city.”

Tolent regional commercial director Paul Walker said: “From the inception of the Silksworth project, the working relationship which has developed between Abbeyfield, the project team and Tolent has been proactive, collaborative and positive.

“We are on target to hand over the building in October, and wish Abbeyfield and the residents who will be moving in come November, all the best going forward.”