Green light for new sheltered housing scheme

Central Bedfordshire Council has received permission for a purpose-built housing scheme in Dunstable.

The council was granted planning permission for the two-storey development  in Croft Green, which will offer 23 flats, as well as a lift, laundry, kitchen, guest suite and a communal lounge and enclosed gardens for tenants and older residents living nearby.

Eight bedsits, a two-bedroom flat and a communal lounge forming part of a housing scheme will be demolished to create the site for the modern new building, with work due to begin in the summer and be finished in late 2016. When it is finished, it will offer 14 more homes than the existing accommodation there.

The new scheme is an example of the council’s commitment to improve the housing offer for older people, so they can continue to live independently for longer. It is a positive outcome from the review of our existing sheltered housing provision that we have been undertaking in partnership with our existing sheltered tenants. It is one part of a complete and wide ranging offer for older people.

Councillor Carole Hegley, Executive Member for Social Care, Health and Housing, said: “I am really pleased that permission has been granted for this new development, which is part of the council’s commitment to a better offer for residents,

“A key priority for Central Bedfordshire is providing accommodation where people can live independently for longer, rather than having to go into residential accommodation, and this is exactly the kind of scheme which will enable us to do that.

“We are committed to providing good quality housing which is suitable for older people, and work is progressing really well at nearby Priory View, which will offer 83 apartments and is on track to be ready in September.” 

The planning approval for Croft Green, which was granted at last week’s meeting of the Development Management Committee, means that work can now begin to appoint contractors and a project manager to carry out the scheme, as well as making sure the site is secure and traffic is limited to only what is necessary.

For more information about the council’s housing programme, visit www.centralbedfordshire.gov.uk/housing