Extra-care facility gets the go-ahead

A £9m scheme to build a state-of-the-art extra care centre for older residents in Flintshire, North Wales has been approved.

The project for Pennaf Housing Group has been given the green light by Flintshire County Council.

Designed by John McCall Architects the scheme is for 72 self-containted one and two-bed apartments with a range of communal facilities and will be build on the former Earl Lea site in Flint town centre.

As part of the work, four substandard maisonette blocks built in the 1960s have been demolished to make way for the new scheme.

The designs will see three wings arranged around a central courtyard to increase security and privacy.

Communal facilities will include a café, restaurant, hairdressers, sky lounge and multi-purpose rooms that can be used as a small cinema, to hold workshops and as an IT space.
 
Sustainable measures include solar panels, rainwater harvesting, combined heating and power systems and a highly insulated, fabric first approach.

The size of the site is large enough to accommodate the extra care living complex along with other housing and or another use like health provision.

Director at John McCall Architects, Carl Grannell, said: “There is a long-term need for independent, extra care living in Flintshire and this high quality scheme will expand the choice available.

“It has been designed to complement the character of the old town centre and urban neighbourhood.

“Residents will benefit from secure living accommodation in a town centre location in walking distance of all local facilities like the library, sports centre, other housing and a retail park.”

The Earl Lea facility borders the local conservation area and new planting on the brownfield site will improve its ecological standards.
Parking areas are largely hidden so they do not affect the frontage’s appearance.