Ceremony marks the start of new Chipping Norton care development

The new scheme on land on Rockhill Farm is being developed by Housing 21 in partnership with West Oxfordshire District Council (WODC) and Oxfordshire County Council (OCC), and 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, which will both be available to the local community.

OCC Cllr Lawrie Stratford, cabinet member for adult social care and public health, 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 wellbeing 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.”

WODC Cllr Jeff Haine, cabinet member for strategic planning, added: “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.”

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

Lorraine Jenner, Head of Extra Care at Housing 21 said: “We are delighted to be working in partnership with Oxfordshire County Council and West Oxfordshire District Council to provide the latest Extra Care scheme in Chipping Norton.

“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.”

Martin Gallagher, managing director of Deeley Construction, added: “We are delighted to be working with Housing 21 and the wider partnership on this much-needed new Extra Care scheme that will help to meet the needs of the local community, which is important to us as a Midlands company.

“We have delivered many schemes in the housing and care sector, but this is our first with Housing 21 and it has been great to be part of such a collaborative process.”

For more information about Housing 21, visit www.housing21.org.uk.