£6million housing scheme takes shape
Local residents met the people behind a £6million extra care sheltered housing scheme in Widnes on Monday.
Work began on the scheme in Liverpool Road in May and the site is now beginning to take shape.
Halton Housing Trust, which is building the 47 two-bed apartments for sale or rent, invited local residents to view the plans again and speak to representatives from the Trust, as well as Cruden Construction, who are constructing the scheme and Halton Borough Council who are also funding the scheme.
The consultation took place on Monday, July 18, at Bankfield School.
“The aim of this scheme is to offer people a home that changes with them throughout their life, safe in the knowledge that as they get older and their needs change they will not need to move home,” said Trust Chief Executive Nick Atkin.
“There is a high demand for this type of accommodation in the area and this scheme will help to fill that gap and provide a range of services for those residents living at the scheme.”
The completed scheme will cater for a range of people and will include facilities such as a lounge and bistro area, office space, a hair and beauty salon and spa and therapy areas. For those residents requiring additional support to live independently this will also be available.
This model of housing provides high quality accommodation to allow people to live independently, but with access to care support.
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.
Paul Slavin, Contract Manager for Cruden, said: “I am originally from the area and several members of staff grew up in the surrounding streets, so the project is really close to our hearts and we were really keen to be involved with such a fantastic development.”
The name for the scheme, which has been funded by the Trust, the Council and the Homes and Communities Agency, has recently been chosen as Naughton Fields in acknowledgement of the area’s sporting history.
Naughton Park, which was founded by Tom Naughton, was once the home of Widnes Rugby League and became one of the best known grounds in the country due to the success of the Chemics, the nickname of the Widnes team.
Paul Mullane, from Halton Housing Trust, said: “The team at Cruden is working really well with local residents to ensure there is minimal disruption.
“We are really pleased to be able to confirm the name the for scheme and have already had enquiries from a number of people interested in purchasing or renting the apartments.”
Due to the already high level of interest in this exciting new scheme, Halton Housing Trust is looking to hold future events for people who are considering the benefits of living at the Naughton Fields. The Trust now has a register of people who express an interest, so if you or a family member would like further details about Naughton Fields then please contact us on 0151 510 5107. By registering an interest now, it will enable the Trust to ensure that all interested parties receive regular updates and personal invitations to future events.