Building starts on new 'extra care' facility in Chipping Norton

The new scheme on land on Rockhill Farm is being developed by Housing 21 in partnership with West Oxfordshire District Council and Oxfordshire County Council. It will provide 80 one and two bedroom apartments for affordable rent and shared ownership.

The development will offer people over the age of 55 a range of services and facilities including a 24 hour on-site care team for those who need it, a residents’ lounge and guest room plus a café/bistro dining area and hair salon, both of which will be available to the local community.

The Extra Care Living development, off Russell Way, is being built by Deeley Construction and should be completed August 2021. The first residents are expected to move into their new homes in September 2021

Cllr Lawrie Stratford, Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care & Public Health at Oxfordshire County Council said: “It is fantastic to see work begin at what will be a great development for our people over 55, offering an excellent standard of accommodation.

"It will also be so much more than just a place to live; it is being set up with the vision of creating an active and engaged community to support the well-being of its residents. We at Oxfordshire County Council were delighted to support this project with the land and to work with our partners Housing 21 and West Oxfordshire District Council to make this collective vision become a reality.”

Cllr Jeff Haine, Cabinet Member for Strategic Planning at West Oxfordshire District Council, said: “We are committed to ensuring enough affordable housing is built to meet the needs of local residents.

“We know there is a real demand for housing of this type in the district so it is fantastic to see this significant development getting off the ground.”

Lorraine Jenner, Head of Extra Care at Housing 21 said: “Housing 21 is the leading provider of Extra Care across England, providing at least 10 percent of the country’s provision. We will be working closely with the local schools, older people’s groups and the social work teams in Chipping Norton to ensure a fully integrated and community feel to the scheme upon opening. This ceremony marks the beginning of a very exciting build journey in the area!”

* Housing 21 is a not-for-profit provider of retirement housing and extra care for older people of modest means managing over 20,000 properties and providing over 42,000 hours of social care each week.

Residents live independently in their own apartments with access to communal facilities and receive care if they need it.