A ground-breaking ceremony has taken place to celebrate the commencement of work at Housing 21’s first Extra Care development in Guisborough, Redcar and Cleveland.

Pictured: Key representatives from Housing 21, Countryside Partnerships North East, Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council and Langtry-Langton Architects at the Guisborough ground-breaking ceremony.

The ceremony was attended by representatives from Housing 21, Countryside Partnerships North East (formerly Vistry Partnerships North East), Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council and Langtry-Langton Architects which marked the beginning of the second major phase of construction. 

The development will comprise of 83 homes: 50 one-bedroom and 21 two-bedroom apartments, all of which will be available for social rent, in addition to the 12 two-bedroom bungalows which can be purchased through shared ownership. 

The £18 million Extra Care scheme is being delivered by Housing 21, a national leading provider of Retirement Living and Extra Care, in partnership with Homes England who are providing a £5.8 million grant, Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council, Countryside Partnerships North East and Langtry-Langton Architects.  

Deborah Hope, Head of Development at Housing 21, said: "We are excited to be working in partnership with Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council to deliver our first Extra Care scheme together in Guisborough. This will be the third site that Housing 21 have delivered with Countryside Partnerships in the North East so we already know the professionalism and quality they will bring here.  

“This development will provide homes that will enable local older people to live independently for longer and still remain within the community that they know and love.” 

Pictured: Paul Crosland, Construction Project Manager at Housing 21, speaking with key representatives from Housing 21, Countryside Partnerships North East, Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council and Langtry-Langton Architects.

Cllr Mary Ovens, Cabinet Member Adults for Redcar & Cleveland Borough Council, said: “I would like to thank Housing 21 and everyone involved in this scheme for their amazing work. The 83 homes resulting from this partnership will provide many of our residents with the living conditions they need for an independent and comfortable life as part of their local community.” 

Once open, the scheme will provide residents with a selection of modern communal spaces including a residents’ lounge, on-site café/bistro and hair salon, which will be available for use by the neighbouring community.   

Dave Brown, Managing Director with Countryside Partnerships North East, said: “We were delighted to be asked to bid for the contracting work on this project in Guisborough and to be building on our excellent relationship with Housing 21. This contract win follows the construction of two Premier Guarantee Quality Award winning Extra Care projects for Housing 21 - at Peterlee and Tynemouth - which completed in 2022. 

“This latest development will be live alongside other specialist living schemes we are building at Penshaw and near to Guisborough, in Redcar and we continue to grow our reputation for delivering projects of this nature, on time, on budget and to a high standard. A similar project we recently completed was shortlisted for a National Award and we are proud to be working with housing providers across the region to create much needed homes for the? older members of our communities.” 

The development is scheduled to complete in Summer 2024. 

To register your interest in this scheme, please email info.newdevelopments@housing21.org.uk