Working in partnership for the people of Herefordshire
Hereford independent living scheme update
More than 500 people visited an Independent Living Information Day to find out about a flagship development scheme which is being proposed for the benefit of older people living in Hereford and the surrounding areas.
Subject to planning approval this Spring, work on the scheme is expected to begin in Autumn 2005 for completion by Spring 2007. The proposed location is at Ledbury Road, on the site of the former local authority nurseries.
The £15m scheme will have self-contained apartments set in landscaped gardens. A wide range of community facilities which will benefit both residents and local visitors over the age of 55 is to include; a restaurant, bar, café, wellbeing room, gym, arts and crafts centre, woodwork shop, IT Suite, library and greenhouse.
Expected to provide places for over 150 residents, apartments will be available on a rent, part and full purchase basis with an in-house team providing care and up to 24-hour nursing support for those who require it.
The scheme will offer its residents a home for life and will be affordable for those with limited means, irrespective of financial status or frailty.
The Information Day was held by development partners from Herefordshire Council, Elgar Housing Association and the ExtraCare Charitable Trust, and took place at Hereford’s Three Counties Hotel yesterday, Monday, January 17.
Visitors were able to see models of similar schemes, already in existence, and talk to residents who lived in them. Architects plans were also on display and a presentation about the scheme was delivered by John Payne, Partnership Director at ExtraCare.
Visitors, Ray and Jean Ridley, live in Hereford and saw the plans.Ray said: “We’re considering our future and are impressed by this scheme. It looks like it will be a social environment with plenty of things to do to keep us busy and active.”
Cllr Glenda Powell, a member of the Council’s Social Care and Housing Scrutiny Committee added: “We want this facility, it will foster and support older peoples’ independence.”