A pampering suite, a potting shed and greenhouse, specially-designed door handles, and landscaped gardens are just a few of the features at a new extra care housing development in Sussex.
Constructed by Denne, part of the Leadbitter Group, the Abbotswood scheme in Rustington was commissioned by housing association, Saxon Weald, and is the third joint project to open in recent months.
Comprising 62 new retirement apartments, it provides 56 extra care properties and six flats for people with learning difficulties in a dedicated wing with its own secure access. In addition to extra care design features such as fully-accessible kitchens and bathrooms, it also has a number of communal facilities including the pampering suite, a restaurant and meeting rooms.
Designed to look more like a hotel than a traditional care home, the facility has underfloor heating throughout and colour-coded interior décor to assist with wayfinding.
Graham Brown, managing director of Denne, said: “Part of the key to delivering projects such as these is not only the partnership with our client, but also with building control as strategies that apply to regular housing development aren’t always applicable to extra care projects.
“We have worked closely with all the local authority teams to device the best solution for residents, right down to details such as door handles that are suitable for residents with arthritis.”
The completion of the facility follows the opening of two other units in Eastbourne and Uckfield.
