Work starts on Knowsley extra care housing scheme
£14.4m project provides homes for over 55s
Work has started on the development of a new extra care housing complex for the over-55s in Knowsley, Merseyside.
The £14.4m new-build project is being developed by Bullock in partnership with Knowsley Housing Trust (KHT), part of the First Ark Group, and Knowsley Council.
The development will provide 101 new one and two-bedroom extra care apartments for over-55s needing additional support to live independently. The scheme will also provide an additional 21 properties available to older people for shared ownership. The main facility will also include a restaurant, hairdressing salon, activity and hobby rooms.
To help reduce energy bills for residents, the centre will benefit from renewable energy through the use of combined heat and power boilers that capture and re-use the heat produced in day-to-day electricity usage. It is estimated that 10% of the energy source for the homes at Bluebell Park will come from the use of this renewable technology.
Speaking about the development, Andy Saul, managing director at Bullock said: “Bluebell Park is a very important development for us as we continue to develop and grow our extra care portfolio.
“Throughout the 78–week construction period we will be working closely with the local community to implement a targeted recruitment strategy and neighbourhood investment programme. This will include delivering vocational training to local schools and working in partnership with employment and training providers to create long term employment opportunities.”
To help with the cost of construction the project has received a grant of £2.6m from the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA).
Helen White, chairman of KHT, said: “Bluebell Park will allow older people to live independently in homes that are designed to meet their needs as they age and will significantly increase the housing options in the area.
