Park Lane Turf Cutting
07 March 2008
A turf cutting ceremony was held in Woodside on Friday 07 March, as work began on The Wrekin Housing Trust's new £9m Extra Care Scheme at Park Lane.
The event was attended by representatives from partner organisations involved with the scheme, including The Housing Corporation, Transforming Telford, Telford & Wrekin Council and resident representatives from the Woodside Regeneration Partnership.
The new multi-million pound Park Lane Extra Care Scheme will consist of 53 purpose-built self-contained flats, along with a wide range of communal facilities, providing tailor made support and care, along with access to specialist services.
Extra Care differs from residential care as residents have the benefit of their own self-contained flats but access to care and support when they need it.
The scheme is situated on the former site of Wilton Court, which was demolished as part of the Woodside Regeneration Project, and additional land donated by English Partnerships. It is being substantially funded by The Wrekin Housing Trust, with additional money from the Housing Corporation. Completion of this scheme is expected in the summer of 2009.
A range of on-site facilities will be provided, including a restaurant, shop, and hairdressing. In addition there will be opportunities for social activities, keep fit, hobbies, IT, and therapies.
One of the key design features of the development will be a full-height (four storey) glass-roofed atrium to introduce natural light and ventilation to enhance the environment of the building. Other unusual features include the full width balconies/loggias on all upper floor apartments.
Environmental sustainability is also being built in, with high levels of thermal insulation, high efficiency boilers, solar panels to assist heating and facilities to recycle rainwater.
Bob Floyd, Chair of The Wrekin Housing Trust, said: "At the outset of the Woodside Regeneration Project, the Trust made a commitment to residents that we would develop a new care scheme to replace Wilton Court. Society faces a real challenge in the coming years as the number of people aged 85 or over is set to double in the next five years. This will lead to increased demand on housing that offers support and care in a community environment, while at the same time preserving independent living skills. The new Extra Care scheme is a new form of housing for older people that offers exactly this, and we hope it will really set the standards for similar projects."
The Wrekin Housing Trust is working in partnership with Telford & Wrekin Council for the provision of care and support. The Council will, over the coming months, be tendering for a provider to support those residents of Park Lane Extra care scheme who will need assistance to help them live independently.
Other organisations that attended the event included: Chase Norton Construction (the contractors), Supporta RPD (the architects), Northcroft (cost consultants) and One Creative Environments (mechanical and electrical consultants).
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