Green light for more than 60 extra care apartments
Plans to create an £11.5m extra care housing scheme in Woodlesford will go ahead following unanimous approval by Leeds City Council.
The extra care scheme – a model that combines accommodation with care services and shared amenities – is part of a multi-year investment programme in this type of housing across Leeds in partnership with Lovell Later Living and Home Group.
Planning and design consultancy Barton Willmore secured planning permission for the partners, having supported in other successful applications in the last few years.
Chris Binns, senior planner at Barton Willmore, explained: “This development – known as Windlesford Green – will help meet Leeds City Council’s ambition to provide 1,000 new extra care housing units across the city by 2028.
“This is part of a coordinated effort to address the needs of Leeds’ ageing population.
“This type of scheme is exactly what’s needed to provide a mix of independent living and care that’s cost effective and high quality, for people in later life.”
Paula Broadbent, managing director of Lovell Later Living, said: “The support of the planning committee for this third of four extra care housing schemes we are developing for our partners Home Group and Leeds City Council is true recognition of the value of these developments across the city.
“Windlesford Green will start on site before the end of the year and follow the completion of the first of the four at Amblers Orchard, Westerton Walk, in September 2021 and the second Greenmill Gardens, Seacroft, in late summer 2022.
“I am excited for us to be building yet another vital scheme in Leeds, which builds on our commitment to supporting our partners deliver vital specialist housing with access to care and support.”
The Windlesford Green site will include 62 apartments – a mix of one and two-bedroom spaces designed to meet the needs of older people.
Binns added: “Extra care facilities such of this are not only fantastic for the people who live there, but they’re also an investment in care provision in the area – helping to reduce hospital stays and ultimately saving the NHS money.
“The development also brings wider supply chain benefits to the local economy, and the creation of between 15 to 20 full time jobs.”
