Housing and regeneration group LHA-ASRA has selected building contractor Kier Partnership Homes to start work on the transformation of a sheltered housing scheme in Nottingham.

The new state of the art ‘Extra Care’ scheme will create 71 homes to replace the existing 34 flats at Welland Court on St Mattias Road, St Ann’s. It is a partnership between LHA-ASRA and Nottingham City Council with funding from the Department of Health and the Homes and Communities Agency.

A type of supported housing, Extra Care refers to self-contained homes with design features and support services to enable older people to enjoy active and independent lifestyles.

Welland Court has been specially designed for people aged over 55, and will include a café, communal gardens, hairdressers, activity and meeting rooms, and an assisted bathing suite.

There will also be a modern Day Centre, wi-fi throughout, and communal facilities open to older people living in the city.

John Henderson, Head of Programme Delivery at LHA-ASRA said: “Working in partnership with Nottingham City Council, LHA-ASRA will provide the very latest in innovative care for older people to live fulfilling lives in a vibrant community and comfortable surroundings.

“Not only will these affordable homes offer individually tailored housing support, but the development will help regenerate the area.”

Councillor Alan Clark, Nottingham City Council Portfolio holder for Neighbourhood Regeneration, said: “Extra Care housing provides clear advantages for older people, giving a wider choice of accommodation, more control over personal finances and more independence. There will be more facilities on site and the care and support services can increase or decrease according to individual needs.

“This is an ambitious project that will build on the wider redevelopment of Stonebridge Park. It is a flagship scheme for older people and part of our wider ambition to provide similar extra care facilities across the city.”

The scheme of 50 apartments for affordable rent, and 21 for sale through shared ownership, will meet Lifetime Homes Standards. Residents will have individually tailored support, with optional Extra Care being brought in as residents’ needs change. Staff will be on call 24 hours a day.

Demolition will start in September. The development is expected to be complete in 2011.

Extensive consultation was carried out with existing residents of Welland Court, who will all be found a suitable alternative home for the duration of the construction. They will have first choice of rented apartments when the development is complete.

The development is being funded by LHA-ASRA, the Department of Health, the Homes and Communities Agency and Nottingham City Council.

It will achieve Level 3 of the government’s Code for Sustainable Homes, with features such as green roofs, and a harvesting system to collect and recycle rainwater for toilets and gardening.

Email: l.hirst@quicksilverpr.co.uk