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Care village is step closer

Betty Anderson
14/11/2007

AMBITIOUS plans for a 21st century care village for the elderly in Handforth have taken a major leap forward.

The development to be built on the former Brooke Dean school site, off Spath lane, will offer mixed housing and include leisure facilities and 24 hour on-call care.

It is being funded, along with four others across Cheshire, by the county council to meet the demand for care and accommodation as the elderly population spirals.

A blueprint was drawn up last year and now a developer has been appointed to build and operate all five care sites.

Each will consist of self-contained apartments with 24-hour on-call staff, a hair salon, library, IT suite, restaurant and village hall, plus other innovative facilities on the site.

John Weeks, director of community services for Cheshire County Council said: "These schemes will revolutionise the way in which we approach maintaining long term independence and support for our older citizens.

"Each development will provide not only a home, but one in a real community environment where people will have access to a broad range of amenities and services that will help to maintain their independence in the manner of their choice."

The chosen developer, Avantage is a consortium made up of Harvest Housing Group, MJ Gleeson Group and Nationwide Building Society.

Director, Ian perry, said: "Avantage will allow older residents to lead an independent life, in high quality surroundings with the level of support tailored to each individual and their circumstances."

The five developments will have a combination of properties to rent, buy and part-buy in a safe and secure environment.

Each site will offer a range of social, cultural and physical activities for older people within the local community, as well as providing a central point to access services.

Avantage and Cheshire County Council have publicly signed the official documents and the first development is due to open by the end January 2009.

Inquiries from members of the public are welcome and if readers would like to know more, whether as a resident or a volunteer, call Avantage on 0845 618 5008 or email mychoice@avantage.org.uk