The topping out ceremony for Housing 21’s newest Extra Care development in Hampshire, Bulmer House, has taken place, marking the significant construction milestone of the building reaching its highest point.
Housing 21, a leading national provider of Retirement Living and Extra Care housing, was joined by Feltham Construction, Hampshire County Council, East Hampshire Council and Agincare to celebrate the progress being made on the much-anticipated scheme. The development is being delivered with grant funding from Homes England and Hampshire County Council.
Located on Ramshill in Petersfield, Bulmer House will provide 56 contemporary one and two-bedroom apartments, which will all feature their own balconies or patios for people aged 55 and over. The apartments will be available for social rent and will offer independent living with access to on-site care and support. This will enable residents to maintain their independence while having the reassurance that help is available if and when needed.
Designed with accessibility and wellbeing at its heart, Bulmer House will include a range of high-quality communal facilities for residents, including a spacious lounge, activity room, guest suite and landscaped communal gardens. Facilities such as a café/bistro and hair salon will also be available, helping to create a vibrant community hub for both residents and the wider local community.
Tracy Jones, Head of Commissioning and Service integration said “We are delighted to celebrate this important milestone at Bulmer House. Reaching the highest point of the build is a significant achievement and reflects the hard work and commitment of everyone involved in bringing this development to life. Projects like this are only possible through strong partnerships, and I would like to thank our colleagues at Hampshire County Council for their support, collaboration, and shared commitment to providing high-quality homes and communities for local people.
“At Housing 21, we believe that great housing is about much more than bricks and mortar. It is about creating places where people can live independently, feel connected to their community, and enjoy a better quality of life. Bulmer House will help achieve exactly that, providing much-needed housing that supports current and future generations.
“We look forward to welcoming our first residents and seeing Bulmer House become an integral part of the Petersfield community.”
Councillor Zoe Huggins, Executive Lead Member for Health and Social Care and Public Health, Hampshire County Council, said:
“Bulmer House represents our shared commitment to providing high-quality housing and care options for older people in Hampshire. As East Hampshire’s first affordable Extra Care scheme, it will give residents the opportunity to live independently in a modern, accessible home, while having the reassurance that support is available when they need it. Developments like this are about more than providing homes; they create communities where people can stay active, connected and enjoy a better quality of life. We are proud to have supported a scheme that will make a lasting difference for local residents."
The development forms part of Housing 21’s ongoing commitment to increasing the availability of affordable housing and care options for older people, helping them to live independently for longer in their own homes.
Chris Herman, Surveying Director at Feltham Construction said: "Today marks an important milestone in the delivery of Bulmer House as we celebrate the topping out of this important development. We’d like to thank Housing 21 and Hampshire County Council for their trust, alongside the design team, supply chain partners, local stakeholders and, most importantly, our site team, whose hard work, professionalism and commitment to quality and safety have brought us to this point.
“Soon, the scaffolding and site cabins will be gone, and Bulmer House will become a place people are proud to call home. It’s a privilege for everyone at Feltham to play a part in creating that legacy for Petersfield. While topping out is a significant achievement, our focus now turns to completing the project safely and to the high standards expected by Housing 21, its future residents and the local community. We look forward to celebrating the successful completion of Bulmer House and continuing our excellent relationship with Housing 21."
The scheme is expected to open in 2027 and will be managed by a dedicated on-site Housing and Partnership Manager, with care services delivered by Agincare.
Residents interested in living at Bulmer House will be able to benefit from a safe, supportive and welcoming environment, combining private living with access to a wide range of activities and personalised care services. To find out more, visit: https://www.housing21.org.uk/schemes/bulmer-house/
