South Gloucestershire Council

Published: 08/07/2015

Members have approved an innovative new housing development that integrates 261 ‘Extra Care’ apartments specifically designed for older residents who will benefit from on-site support services enabling them to maintain independent living.

The Extra Care ‘village’ is part of a development of up to 694 homes by Taylor Wimpey on land to the east of Coldharbour Lane, adjacent to UWE. The new estate will be mixed tenure, with the homes designed for older people being built and managed by the ExtraCare Charitable Trust.

The project will make a significant contribution towards meeting the Council’s target to commission 700 mixed tenure Extra Care Housing homes by 2016/17. By mixing both leasehold sale and affordable rent tenures, the development will cater for a range of potential residents and reflects the growing numbers of older home-owners in the area in potential need of care and support.

It is expected that by 2030 almost 25 per cent of the South Gloucestershire population will be over 65, with 18 per cent of these being 85 or older, which will change the kind of homes and support services that will be in demand.

Integrated into the extra care ‘village’ will be an array of facilities designed to keep residents active and healthy, including a library, shops, village hall, gym and a bistro/bar, all of which would be open to the general public, to help fully integrate the new development and residents into the surrounding community.

Councillor Trevor Jones, Chair of the Development Control (West) Committee said: “This unique model of Extra Care, in partnership with Bristol City Council and ECCT, will provide a significant increase in choice and service to older people, enabling independent and inclusive living. This development will mean older people can receive longer-term care and support within the community rather than in traditional clinical settings. Many older people will see this option as an alternative to traditional retirement housing or residential and nursing care.”

Today’s approval by Members is for the 261 Extra Care units, 284 general mixed housing units and notes the second phase proposal to add a further 149 homes at a later date, subject to additional approvals.