Great Ayton Extra Care court takes shape at topping out ceremony

Fry Court, named after chocolate manufacturer J. S Fry & Sons – the creator of Fry’s Turkish Delight, moved one step closer to completion as the build reached its highest point.

The scheme is located on Newton Road, near to country house Cleveland Lodge, where Sir Wilfrid Fry once lived.

A topping out ceremony was held on 9 September to mark the key milestone for Housing 21’s latest Extra Care scheme, which has been developed in partnership with North Yorkshire County Council and Hambleton District Council. The Housing 21 team were joined by representatives from North Yorkshire County Council and Tolent to celebrate the occasion.

Fry Court is Housing 21’s first Extra Care scheme in Great Ayton and will provide much needed accommodation for local people over the age of 55. There will be 57 one and two bedroom apartments available for affordable rent and shared ownership. Fry Court has been designed to promote independent living in a community setting, with access to 24/7 on-site care if this is required.

Chairman of North Yorkshire County Council, Cllr Jim Clark, said: “The opening of Fry Court will mean that people living in Great Ayton, and the surrounding villages, can remain within the area that they know as they grow older. Extra Care in North Yorkshire is about much more than bricks and mortar - this building will be a vibrant place where people with a wide range of backgrounds and support needs will live not only as part of the Extra Care community, but also as active members of the wider community here in Great Ayton.”

Residents will benefit from a range of on-site facilities, including a café/bistro and hair salon, which are also accessible to visitors and the local community. There is also a residents’ lounge, activity room, treatment room and communal gardens for residents and their guests to enjoy.

Siobhan Moore, Head of Property Development for Housing 21 said: “We are delighted to reach this important milestone in the development of Fry Court, our first Extra Care scheme in Great Ayton. The scheme will provide much needed affordable homes for older people in the area, with on-site, tailored care and support packages available to help residents live independently for as long as possible.”

Pictured from left to right: Ian Pratt (Tolent), Councillor Heather Moorhouse (NYCC), Siobhan Moore (Housing 21) and Councillor Jim Clark (NYCC).

Ian Pratt, project manager for Tolent, said: "It was great to be a part of this event today with Housing 21 as we reach a key milestone at Fry Court, and always a good to have the opportunity to showcase the quality of work our teams have produced on site as we took guests on a small tour around the build.

"From retirement villages, dementia specific care homes to supported living bungalows, Tolent has delivered over £100m of work in this sector in the past few years alone and it will be fantastic to add Fry Court to this growing area of our business."

Fry Court is set to open early next year and the scheme’s first residents are expected to be able to move in from March 2020. Housing 21 are currently taking expressions of interest from those interested in buying or renting an apartment. Any enquiries should be directed to Holly Hunton, Housing Manager, on 07725630614 or the Sales team on 0345 608 4021 sales@housing21.org.uk. Monday – Friday, 9am – 5pm.