Building work is underway on a new Extra Care Living scheme in Lyde Green after a ground-breaking ceremony last week.

The new scheme near Emersons Green town centre, which is being developed by Housing 21 in partnership with South Gloucestershire Council, will provide 50 two bedroom apartments for affordable rent and shared ownership. The development will offer people over the age of 55 a range of services and facilities including a 24 hour on-site care team for those who need it, a café/bistro, hair salon and communal lounge which is also available to the local community.

The Extra Care Living development, located off Jenner Boulevard, is set for completion in March 2021. The first residents are expected to move into their new homes in April 2021.

South Gloucestershire Council’s Head of Commissioning, Partnerships and Performance, Jon Shaw said: “It’s great to see work start to progress on the new Extra Care Living development in Lyde Green.

“We know that people live well in Extra Care Housing, which provides its residents with a range of tenures that ensure privacy and the security of having their own apartment whilst knowing that a care team is on site 24/7. This not only provides peace of mind for people living at the development, but for their families too.

“The future residents will hopefully lead fulfilling lives well into their later years remaining active and ageing well. Evidence shows that people who live in Extra Care Housing make lower demand on GP services, are less likely to be admitted to hospital and when they are they return home more quickly. Importantly, fewer people in Extra Care Housing are later permanently admitted to a care home compared to a similar profile of people who continue to live in traditional housing.”

Lorraine Jenner, Head of Extra Care at Housing 21 said: “We are delighted to be working in partnership with South Gloucestershire Council to provide the latest Extra Care scheme in Lyde Green.

“Housing 21 is the leading provider of Extra Care across England, providing at least 10 percent of the country’s provision. We will be working closely with the local schools, older people’s groups and the social work teams in Lyde Green to ensure a fully integrated and community feel to the scheme upon opening. This ceremony marks the beginning of a very exciting build journey in Lyde Green!”

Craig Currie, Managing Director of Galliford Try Partnerships West, said: “We believe passionately that we need to provide homes of all tenures including the development of quality homes for older people. That’s why we’re delighted to be working with our partners Housing 21 and South Gloucestershire Council at Lyde Green, to provide a significant number of these homes, alongside a range of community amenities.”