Abbeyfield UK - Abbeyfield UK ESK Moors development

Local volunteer groups are delighted that planning permission has been granted for a new £3.4 million Abbeyfield UK extra care housing development for older people in Castleton, Esk Moors.
In 1997, local volunteers became increasingly concerned about the number of older people leaving the area when becoming very frail. Their research showed that older people would like to remain at home for as long as possible and if needing to move on, most would prefer to do so locally.
A partnership with Abbeyfield UK, North Yorkshire County Council and Scarborough Borough District Council began which will establish a housing scheme for local people. Abbeyfield UK, one of the largest care and housing providers in the country, intends to lease the communal facilities to community groups who will deliver care and support services to older people living in the area.
Along the way, the proposed Abbeyfield UK project has received tremendous support from the Housing Corporation, North Yorkshire County Council, Scarborough Borough Council, the National Park and from many local and national charitable sources. On Thursday March 15th, planning permission was confirmed.
Local volunteer Jenny Hunt said: “We’re thrilled to bits, so many people have worked so hard to make this project work and we will finally be on site next week. At the end of the project, the older people in the valley will no longer have to move out of the area to receive the housing and care that they so desperately need.”
The new building will be the largest new build project in the North Yorkshire Moors since the area was earmarked as a National Park. It has been carefully designed to complement the surroundings and make use of locally-sourced building materials.
Abbeyfield UK’s Tina Donaghy said: “Abbeyfield UK was created in 2003 to meet the housing and care needs of local older people. This project has been designed with the local community in mind and we are delighted with the planning news. Once built, 12 self contained flats will be available to rent to older people and a day centre will be leased to a local group who will provide support services across the top end of the valley. Our builders are ready to start work and we are looking forward to celebrating the opening of the scheme next year.”

Email: j.burder@abbeyfield.com