Details Revealed for Extra Care Investment in Shifnal

Detailed plans for the redevelopment of a Shifnal retirement housing scheme drawn up after consultation with local residents have been revealed.

A planning application for the £4.2 million project at Yew Tree Court, in The Grove, was submitted to Bridgnorth District Council this week. A final decision by the council’s planning committee will be made in the next few months.

South Staffordshire Housing Association, a member of the Central Borders Housing Group who will be developing the site, was selected by Bridgnorth District Council in July 2007 to redevelop Yew Tree Court, a council-owned retirement scheme for older people.

Extensive consultation was undertaken with existing residents and the local community to see which of three redevelopment options they preferred. The council’s housing committee eventually decided on the option to demolish the existing one and two-storey building scheme and replace it with 30 two-bedroom flats and three two-bedroom bungalows for older people.

Now the detailed plans will be carefully considered by councillors before a final decision is made.

Ursula Bennion, Group Development Director of South Staffordshire Housing Association, said: “Yew Tree Court urgently needs work to modernise the facilities and ensure that it provides a high standard of living accommodation for older people in the area that meets their needs.

“We have worked closely with the council and local community to look at the various options before the council’s housing committee decided on what approach should be taken after reviewing our feedback.

“Over the last few months, we have helped the council to move the existing residents out of Yew Tree Court in preparation for the redevelopment and have provided disturbance payments, relocation expenses and help with the physical move where requested. Every effort has been made to minimise disruption and we would like to thank residents and their families for their support during the process.

“We are now ready to move on to the next stage and have submitted a full planning application.”

Ultimately, this scheme will create additional homes for older people in the area in a state-of-the-art development offering not just top class facilities but also additional parking.

It is hoped that planning permission will be granted in the autumn. This would mean building work could start by before Christmas at the latest with the scheme completed by June 2010.

Residents who have moved out of the existing 17 units at Yew Tree Court have being given first option on moving into the new sheltered scheme.

South Staffordshire Housing Association is the founder member of Central Borders Housing Group which is investing in new affordable housing across the area.

(Released 5th August 2008)

Blooming Marvellous at Mill House, Kinver

Residents of South Staffordshire Housing Association’s Mill House in Kinver can now enjoy the sunshine without being blown off the patio, thanks to a lottery grant, a lot of effort from their tenants’ association, and the services of local horticulturalist Jill Hogan.

Mill House is in a beautiful location with views across the river, but the garden is exposed and subject to the cold North wind.

Working with the tenants, Jill designed a patio and seating area; shielded from the wind by evergreens to provide winter interest. Within a tight budget, residents chose seating, a pergola and a water feature with a mill stone in keeping with the property’s original use.

Residents were clear that they wanted all year interest, colour and smells. But as Jill Hogan explained, there were other considerations. “The garden is exposed so plants had to be hardy, but also the residents are older people and so it was important to choose things which were low maintenance.”

Sue Rowley, managing director of South Staffordshire Housing Association said: “The people involved in this project have worked hard to get this right, but it’s worth it. It is beautiful and the residents are really looking forward to sitting out and enjoying the view.”

A fast-growing chocolate vine (akebia quinata), sweet smelling New Dawn climbing rose and long-flowering clematis have been planted round the pergola and will cover it within the season. The beds have been planted with rosemary, lavender and ornamental pom-pom onions for a variety of smells and textures, and there are large leaf hostas and honeysuckle around the water feature.

The garden was funded from a £9,000 national lottery Awards for All grant applied for by resident and secretary of the Mill House and Burgesses Social Club, Jan Coleman.

(Released 19th August 2008)