A partnership between Keepmoat, Capita Symonds, Together Housing Group, and Housing 21 has been appointed by Blackburn with Darwen Council as the preferred bidder to develop a new 50-plus living scheme at Shorey Bank in Lancashire.
Capita Symonds is designing the landmark ‘Lifetime Community’ project which will support independent living for older people from across the Blackburn with Darwen area.
The scheme comprises a three/four-storey, 85-unit extra care residential facility providing a mix of two and ‘one bed plus’ apartments; and 34 bungalows for market sale or shared ownership. It will also conform to, and reflect the principles of, Secured by Design, HAPPI and HCA Code for Sustainable Development Level 3.
The new development will generate revenue savings of £1m per year for the council as well as a land receipt and overage opportunity.
Adrian Welsh, design director at Capita Symonds, said: “Our early engagement has helped to secure a viable, grant-neutral scheme which meets all of the council’s key ambitions while creating quality housing opportunities for older people within Blackburn.”
Councillor Yusuf Jan-Virmani, executive member for neighbourhood, housing and customer services at the council, added: “I am very clear on the need for good quality housing for older people in Blackburn with Darwen. This is the kind of development we want to have in this borough to cater for older people in this area. It’s still early in the process and I am very excited to see how it develops.”