North Tyneside Council is set to hit the mid-way point in a project to modernise more than 920 homes for over 60s in the borough.
The local authority has completed 12 of the retirement complexes as part of its £300m North Tyneside Living project, which will see a total of 924 modern, independent living homes created at 26 sites across the borough, by 2017.
The schemes have been completed in partnership with Galliford Try, Morgan Sindall and Equitix.
To date, 308 people have moved into their new or refurbished homes as part of the project and residents are already benefitting from the modern, open living spaces with extra comforts and high quality facilities.
And the latest schemes in the project to be completed are Percy Lodge in Percy Main and Rothley Grange on Marden Estate in North Shields.
Both properties have proved extremely popular and there are now there are only a limited number of apartments still available at Percy Lodge.
Cllr John Harrison, cabinet member for Housing and Transport said: “The North Tyneside Living project is unique, offering residents are aged 60 and over a modern approach to independent living. We have a year of construction left and we’re already seeing the positive impact this project is having on residents and the local community across the borough.
“We are thrilled to see the finished results at Percy Lodge and Rothley Grange. Percy Lodge is a great example of how investing in a well-considered refurbishment project can revitalise a building – and importantly offer a new way of living for our residents. And in terms of designing and developing purpose-build accommodation, Rothley Grange has also hit the mark and I’m sure it will prove very popular with our residents.”
One of the new residents at Rothley Grange is Paul Dinning who said: “I like my new home because it’s light, airy and spacious – the size, especially the kitchen and bathroom, makes it different and more enjoyable from where I lived before. We also have a good sense of community here.”
Rothley Grange is a purpose built scheme which offers 29 apartments. There are 21 one-bedroom apartments and 8 two-bedroom apartments, located in a newly built housing development.
Percy Lodge (formerly Skipsey Court) offers 37 apartments - 35 one-bedroom apartments and 2 two-bedroom apartments, which have been renovated to an extremely high standard. As well as renovating the apartments, the layout of the building has changed dramatically to make full use of the communal space, following feedback from current tenants.
As well as offering private, modern, comfortable apartments, all schemes have bright, shared lounges and offer activities ranging from coffee mornings to evening entertainment, hobbies, reading or just relaxation.
Each development also has its own therapy room for use by health and personal care professionals such as hairdressers as well as landscaped and shared gardens.
John Kershaw, Project Director for Galliford Try, said: “We are pleased with the excellent progress that has been made on this scheme so far and delighted to be able to provide local people with these high-quality properties. Working in an around these communities allows us to see the difference that this programme is making for the people of the area, which provides our team with a terrific sense of pride in a job well done.”
ENDS