WORK has begun on new apartments for Basingstoke’s elder statesmen in need of personal care and support. The ground was broken on a Brighton Hill site last month with a view to building 64 properties thanks to funding from the Department of Health and Hampshire county council. A mixture of one and two bedroom homes, costing more than £3million aim to be completed in late spring of 2011.
Basingstoke and Deane borough council’s cabinet member for housing and health, Cllr Cathy Osselton, praised the scheme. She said: “This is a wonderful scheme that will add to the extra care services already developed within Abbey Court in Popley over the last year. “It will enable older people to live in their own self-contained home with the security of having someone on hand and a package of care designed to meet individual needs.
“This facility will make a big difference to many people’s lives in the borough be it older people requiring care, reassurance and peace of mind for their carers, or the local community who will be able to benefit from some of the sites facilities.” Meawhile Councillor Felicity Hindson, executive member for Adult Social Care, added: “We are working in partnership with district councils, the Department of Health and housing associations to produce the best models of housing, care and support comparable to any provision in the country. “I am delighted that this scheme in Basingstoke is underway.” The project is being delivered by housing association Saxon Weald. David Standfast, chief executive added: “Extra Care enables people to continue to live independently in their own homes. “This type of housing can be an ideal solution for couples who have different levels of care need.”
