Property round-up: ForHousing; Orbit Developments; Bella Diosa; Preston and Chorley Councils
Work on a new £15.1m extra care development in Stockbridge Village, Knowsley, has completed with tenants now enjoying their new homes.
Jackson Gardens is a new 90-home development made up of 64 one- and two-bedroom apartments and 26 bungalows, with landscaped gardens, on site bistro and communal facilities including lounges, an on-site laundry, spa and treatment room for tenants to use and enjoy.
The apartments are for those who need extra-care and the scheme provides 24-hour support to enable tenants to live safely, but independently.
The bungalows are available for extra-care tenants with lower care needs, too. Seven of these homes have also been made available for younger people with lifelong disabilities requiring ongoing support.
ForHousing is working with Knowsley Council, who are allocating the homes to tenants following a care needs assessment.
The development is part of a wider plan to bring new affordable homes to Stockbridge Village, improving lives and creating new possibilities in the area.
Nigel Sedman, group director of homes at ForHousing, said: “Jackson Gardens is a vibrant, welcoming development which provides tenants with a safe place to live and access to the support and care they need.
“The scheme has been designed using the principles of intentional communities, integrating the facility within the wider community. We’re committed to improving lives and wellbeing by providing quality, affordable homes for people in places where they’re proud to live.”
Cllr Louise Harbour, cabinet member for adult social care, said: “I’m delighted that Jackson Gardens is now open, offering greater choice for residents who want to live independently, but with help and support available if needed.”
Following consultation with tenants and their families, ForHousing has also submitted plans to build seven modern bungalows to replace the existing outdated supported housing scheme at Roughsedge House, which is next to Jackson Gardens.
These homes will be for tenants aged over 55 and will complement those already in the local community.
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Steve Abse, left, and James Nicholson
A new independent baby and toddler store offering exclusive brands, expert advice and personal shopping has opened in Wilmslow.
Baby Loves is the brainchild of Steve Abse, who brings 22 years of passion for baby and toddler retail to the town. He says it will fill a gap in the market for a premium shopping experience for Cheshire parents-to-be.
The new store will be based at Orbit Developments’ unique period property Millbank House, covering 3,000 sq ft, accessed via Riverside Business Park, with handy parking outside.
Steve said: “We want to be more than a store – a place of unrivalled baby and toddler expertise in a great location. We know there is a need here in Wilmslow for premium baby and toddler products and high quality, personal service – before, during and after the birth.”
Steve has recruited locally for five customer advisers, including manager Maria Flynn, who ran a Mamas and Papas store for 15 years .
James Nicholson, leasing surveyor at Orbit, said: “Millbank House in Wilmslow is the perfect location for Baby Loves. It is sure to become a destination of choice for parents-to-be where they can enjoy a rather special shopping and advisory experience from Steve and his team. We wish him every success.”
Millbank House is a period mill conversion that combines the best of both modern and traditional design features.
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Bella Diosa, based in Liverpool, has opened its second children’s boutique in the popular village of Hale, Cheshire. It has taken the 800 sq ft ground floor retail unit at 30 Park Road on a seven-year lease.
Clare Cummins, Bella Diosa owner, said: “Hale is the ideal location for our exclusive range of quality and luxurious children’s clothing, shoes and accessories. We are looking forward to welcoming Cheshire mums on the search for distinctive style to suit their child’s personality.”
Daniel Lee, of letting agent Regional Property Solutions who acted for the landlord, a private pension fund, said: “Hale village has taken its COVID knocks but it’s bouncing back.
The Park Road parade of shops is a firm favourite with independent operators including a hair and beauty salon, butchers and fitness studio.
“This shop let fairly quickly with the recent easing of restrictions and there is interest in the adjacent unit from complementary users.”
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Cllr Matthew Brown
Residents from all parts of Preston have been invited to share their views on existing and future housing in the area to help inform the new local plan. .
The Housing Need and Demand Survey (HNDS), which is also open to residents in Chorley as part of a joint approach by Preston City Council and Chorley Council, seeks to understand local views on the current housing market as well as future developments including the availability of affordable housing.
Residents will have until June 28, to answer the survey and share their views.
Cllr Matthew Brown, leader of Preston City Council, said: “As we strive to economically improve Preston and the surrounding area for all it is vital that a range of good quality and affordable housing is available for people to be able to lay down roots in Lancashire.
“This survey is important to help us understand how residents feel about the state of housing currently available where they live and whether there is the right mix of housing near to them.
“The results of this survey will help us gain a clearer picture of the housing needs in our area and will play an important role in future decision making. Therefore, it’s important we have as much input as possible from residents, the more people who respond to the survey the more meaningful the outcomes will be.”
The survey will also be shared with other stakeholders including housing developers, registered/specialist providers as well as sales and letting agents to learn more from their experience of the housing market in the area.
Residents can access the survey online by visiting: http://www.chorleyprestonhousingsurvey2021.co.uk/
