Partner Article

Work begins on first community wellbeing scheme given green light following government announcement

Work has started on a new community wellbeing scheme in Scarborough that was given the green light following Theresa May’s supported housing funding announcement in October.

Home Group, one of the UK’s largest providers of homes and supported housing, was able to rubber stamp a £50m investment in three community wellbeing schemes when the government announced that the local housing allowance (LHA) benefit cap would not apply to supported housing services.

The LHA announcement allowed many in the housing sector to forge ahead with plans after two years of uncertainty relating to the viability of supported housing schemes – which saw many developments put on hold.

The Scarborough development, part of a collaboration between Home Group, Ashley House, Scarborough Borough Council and North Yorkshire County Council, will see the creation of 63 apartments for over 55s and those with extra care needs. The scheme will also see a full range of on-site communal facilities spring to life including a restaurant and café, guest suites, hair salon, spa room, office facilities and scooter charging facilities.

Situated on the site of a former rugby club on Scalby Road, the wider scheme – part of a package with lead developer Ashley House – will cover 1.49 hectares and will also include a doctor’s surgery and 24 residential properties for outright sale.

Andy Gregor, Director of Commercial (New Models of Care), Home Group, said: “The announcement by Theresa May in October relating to the removal of the LHA cap gave us confidence to finally take much-needed schemes forward, meaning that vulnerable people will be able to access services more quickly.

“Delivering a community wellbeing scheme as part of a larger site will promote independence for individuals with extra care needs, encouraging integration with the wider community and the range of facilities on the doorstep.

“This scheme is Home Group’s latest example of our new models of care programme, utilising excellent building design principles, partnerships and community consultation to deliver the kinds of homes that the local area needs, whilst promoting optimum health and wellbeing for those who will live there.”

Public consultation took place in 2014 which resulted in a positive response from the local community. Completion is expected to take place in August 2019. The total cost for the scheme is £10.9m and the development also benefits from a Homes England grant of £3.1m.

Councillor Bill Chatt: Scarborough Borough Council Portfolio Holder for Public Health and Housing said: “I am very pleased to see the development of the former rugby club site going ahead. We have high housing and support needs in the Borough amongst over-55 year olds. By providing 63 affordable apartments with a range of excellent facilities, the community wellbeing scheme will significantly help to meet these needs.”

North Yorkshire County Councillor Caroline Dickinson, Executive Member for Public Health, Prevention and Supported Housing, said: “We’re excited to see this extra care scheme going ahead. Extra care developments such as this one on Scalby Road support the County Council’s ambitions to help people to live independently in their own homes, with more choice and control over their support, so they can continue to be part of their communities for longer. Extra Care is a flagship programme for us and, working with our partners, we want to see similar schemes in every major town in North Yorkshire.”

Jonathan Holmes, Commercial Director, Ashley House added: “It is great to see this important project starting on site. It has been a pleasure working as partners with Home Group, Scarborough and North Yorkshire Councils to bring the scheme to fruition.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Home Group .