WORK on a brand new extra care sheltered housing scheme for older people in Widnes will start next month.

Halton Housing Trust was given permission to build 47, two-bedroom apartments in Liverpool Road on Monday, February 14, by Halton Borough Council.

Nick Atkin, Chief Executive at the Trust, said: “There is a huge shortage of this type of accommodation in Halton so this is an important development for the area.

“This scheme will help bridge the gap that currently exists through providing people from across the borough with a home that is flexible enough to alter to meet their changing needs. It also has the benefit of releasing much needed family housing to meet an ever increasing demand.”

The Trust is also currently in the process of selecting a contractor to carry out the work on the site of the former Ditton Primary School.

Investment of £1.3million from the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) and £926,000 from Halton Borough Council has helped make the £6million ‘extra care’ development possible.

The development will cater for older people with a mix of care and support needs.

As well as apartments for sale and rent, the development will include facilities such as a lounge and bistro area, office space, a hair and beauty salon and spa and therapy areas.

This model of housing for older people provides high quality accommodation to allow people to live independently, but with access to an on-site care team as and when required.

The care provision in an extra care scheme is designed to be flexible; therefore a person may enter the scheme with low or no care needs, but may require more care services in the future.

It is the aim of extra care schemes to offer a ‘Home for Life’, meaning older people do not have to move due to their care needs increasing.

This welcome news follows the completion of the Trust’s flagship £2.3million development of 12 apartments and six bungalows at Clarke Gardens in Widnes.

Cllr Phil Harris, the Council’s Executive Board member for housing, said: “The extra care scheme will provide much needed high quality housing and care services for frailer older people.

“It’s good news and proves the value of partnership working with social landlords like Halton Housing Trust.”

Deborah McLaughlin, executive director North West at the HCA, said: “It is great news that this important extra care scheme for the local community can now go ahead. We have worked closely with the borough council and Halton Housing Trust to make sure this innovative scheme provides a really valuable range of services for residents.”