[25/01/05 B&NES]

EXCITING plans for an innovative new centre for older people are being unveiled this week.

Bath & North East Somerset Council will be making a formal planning application for the new Community Resource Centre for older people. This exciting new Centre in Midsomer Norton is the second of three planned for the area and will provide high quality care for older people in purpose- built accommodation.

Carrswood in, Twerton, Bath which is the first Centre already has planning approval and work is due to start by May 2005.

The Centre which will be built on land at Orchard Vale, in Midsomer Norton, will include 30 self-contained sheltered ‘extra care’ flats, and 30 Registered Residential Care beds with en-suite facilities. The extra flats are being developed in partnership with Somer Community Housing Trust. These now include eight two-bedroom flats, could be used by those tenants who have carers living with them.

Placing all these facilities together will enable a greater level of services to be provided to residents, including catering facilities and a range of therapy/treatment rooms. If planning permission is granted, the final designs, such as specifications and interior decor will be agreed in close consultation with a variety of stakeholders who will eventually live, work in or manage the new properties.

PRP Architects who have designed the building have ensured that an existing footpath is incorporated into the design of the Centre and surrounding landscaping in a sympathetic way.

Cllr Francine Haeberling, Executive Member for Social Services said: ”I am delighted that plans for this new Centre are progressing. Bath & North East Somerset Council is committed to providing facilities for its elderly residents. The new properties have been designed to take into account the needs of people with mobility problems and will incorporate the latest energy efficiency standards to minimise running costs to residents. Once the scheme is completed the residents will also enjoy landscaped gardens, a range of communal areas for organised activities and accommodation for visiting family members.”

“Extra-Care” housing provides the benefits of traditional sheltered housing but with access to additional support for residents. This allows residents the choice to remain living independently in their own homes for as long as they wish.

Originally, it had been intended that both the new registered care home and the extra care sheltered accommodation would be built on land already in the ownership of the Council. However, this existing site is not large enough to accommodate the high standard of housing and range of facilities that the Council and the Somer Community Housing Trust aim to provide. Therefore the Trust is looking to re-develop some of its adjoining properties to assist in creating this scheme.

Full consultation is being carried out with the residents of the Trust’s existing homes and they will be offered a variety of housing options to best meet their needs. These options will include moving to the new flats on completion, or relocating within the Trust’s existing sheltered accommodation.

Mike Grist, Somer’s Business Development Director, said: “The Trust recognises the impact these proposals may have on existing residents and will be working with individual residents and their families to ensure that their specific circumstances are considered. To this end, the Trust has created a new position with a special focus on meeting the needs of residents in extra care. In the first instance, the post holder will be concentrating on ensuring that those residents affected by the development are given every assistance with the process of moving, whether this be on a temporary or permanent basis.”

The residents moving to the new scheme will have the opportunity to be closely involved in the design and specification of their new home, offering the potential for them to personalise their new flat should they wish. As part of the design process for this new facility, full community consultation will also be undertaken to enable local residents and elected representatives to contribute to the development of this future community resource.

Subject to planning approval, which is to be submitted in the next few weeks, it is expected that work will start on site by October 2005, with the Centre being completed by January 2007. The Centre will be constructed by Leadbitter Construction’s South West & Wales Region who have Offices in Bristol and Cardiff, and together with the Trust, are supporting a number of apprenticeships in Bath & North East Somerset.

Funding for this Centre includes investment of £13.34 million by the Council, a £1.5 million grant from central Government for the sheltered extra care flats and a further £1.5 million from Somer Community Housing Trust.