£13m development for over 55s gets green light

Plans for a £13m extra care development for the over 55s in St Helens, Merseyside have been approved.

The blueprint by architect Brock Carmichael has had the scheme approved on behalf of North West housing group Torus.

The St Helens site is part of a wider masterplan by Brock Carmichael for the land owner.

Torus bought the northern plot fronting on to the junction of Atlas Street and Standish Streets this year to provide 109 one bedroom and 21 two bed apartments, a bistro and hairdressers that will be open to the public, along with associated facilities including extensive landscaped gardens.

Torus director of developmen, Bill Lacey said: “This is the first project we’ve undertaken with Brock Carmichael and from the outset they seemed to understand our vision completely.

“Most developers focus on homes for first time buyers and growing families. Whilst that’s important, and indeed forms a large part of our development programme, we believe that there’s a real need for later life homes too.”

John Cassell, partner at Brock Carmichael, added: “Our experience in housing schemes has led us to a design where we make the most of a site to develop a living space with extra care and all the safety, accessibility and security needs that involves, and which is also desirable and accessible for all.

“The design team at Brock Carmichael credits Yvonne Westhead Fyles, development manager at Torus, whose determination and drive has brought this concept to a reality.”