Council helps deliver older persons extra care complex
The Vale of Glamorgan Council is working in partnership with Wales & West Housing (WWH) to deliver a new state-of-the-art older persons’ extra care complex in Penarth.
Extra care housing is specially designed for older people. This scheme includes self-contained apartments, with tailored on-site care for individuals who want to live independently in their own homes within a supportive community.
Part funded by the Housing with Care Fund and a Social Housing Grant from Welsh Government, the £20 million project will see 70 affordable apartments constructed by WWH after the Council transferred land to it on a long-term lease.
That is the latest step in a larger project to integrate new and existing older persons’ homes with social care and health facilities at the location.
Cllr Lis Burnett, Leader of the Vale of Glamorgan Council, said: “I’m delighted that lease arrangements for this land have been completed and work on this exciting new complex can begin.
“It will provide much-needed affordable accommodation for older persons in Penarth and is a fine example of what can be achieved through effective partnership working by public sector organisations.
“In time, we hope other elements can be added to the scheme to provide comprehensive support for its community of residents.
"Our recent ‘Life in the Vale’ survey revealed that two main priorities for residents are: easily accessible care and healthcare services, and being able to buy or rent a good quality home. We also know that these are both concerns for older people.
“It is vital that we listen to this feedback and developments such as this represent a significant step in helping to address those concerns.”
The land on which the development will be housed is located on a 3.6-acre site near Myrtle Close.
It will be situated alongside Oak Court, an existing WWH older persons’ residential facility, and Tŷ Dewi Sant, a dementia-friendly care home operated by the Council.
WWH is appointing Welsh contractor JG Hale Group to build the new facility along with improved highway access.
Construction is expected to start this summer, with work scheduled to last approximately two years.
On adjoining land, the Council also plans to build an older persons’ independent living development of around 32 affordable homes.
Wales & West Housing’s Regional Development Manager, Jon Harvey, said: “We’re pleased to play a major part in the development of this extra care scheme which will provide high quality, modern homes to meet the needs of older people in the area.
“Our Penarth extra care scheme will give residents the freedom to live independently in their own flat but with the peace of mind of knowing they are living in safe surroundings with a 24-hour emergency response service.
“All the flats will be energy efficient with high levels of insulation that will help keep the energy bills affordable for residents. The building will be fitted with solar panels and battery storage to generate power for the communal areas and reduce its carbon footprint.
“The scheme is in a convenient location and will have an on-site restaurant and shared communal gardens, lounges and a laundry. All the apartments will have views out over a central dementia-friendly garden for residents.
“We currently operate five extra care schemes across Wales and our residents say their lives are transformed when they move in.”