Leeds Extra Care development is complete

An Extra Care development for people over the age of 55 in Boston Spa has successfully completed construction work this week.

Thanks to a partnership between Housing 21, Leeds City Council and Vistry Partnerships, work was able to safely continue over recent weeks to ensure this much needed development was ready on time for the community of Boston Spa.

Vistry Partnerships adhered to strict health and safety protocol on site, including: re-programming works to minimise the number of people on site, staggering shifts and break times, providing full time cleaning services, implementing one-way access to work areas and at all times carrying out modified risk assessments to implement social distancing.

Box Tree Court is Housing 21’s first Extra Care scheme in Boston Spa and will provide much needed accommodation for local people over the age of 55. The development supported by Homes England and Right to Buy funding from Leeds City Council, will offer 44 one and two bedroom apartments for affordable rent and shared ownership.

It has been designed to promote independent living in a community setting, with access to 24/7 on-site care if this is required. There is a communal lounge, activity room, treatment room and communal gardens for residents and their visitors. Residents will also benefit from a range of on-site facilities, including a café/bistro, which will offer a takeaway service, and hair salon. All communal areas of the scheme are accessible to visitors subject to local restrictions.

Jane Edwards, Housing and Care Manager at Box Tree Court said: “I am excited to start moving residents in over the next few weeks. Box Tree Court is a beautiful new extra care scheme set in the heart of Leeds at Boston Spa.

“We have faced challenges along the way, but no one could have predicted a global pandemic! I am so proud of our teams for ensuring building work could continue safely for those in need of a new home with good quality care and support.

“There’s no denying this scheme was needed in Boston Spa as we are opening with very few apartments left for rent. We can’t wait to start getting everybody settled into their new homes!”

Cllr Debra Coupar, Leeds City Council’s Executive Member for Communities, said: “Box Tree Court will provide much-needed specialist accommodation for older people, and we are delighted to have been able to support Housing 21 to deliver this scheme.”

Councillor Rebecca Charlwood, Leeds City Council’s Executive Member for Health, Wellbeing and Adults, said: “I am very pleased to see the opening of Box Tree Court as one of the many housing-with-care developments the council is supporting. We know older people still want the independence of their own front door but the reassurance that support is readily available if they need it”.

Jason Green, Director of Operations at Vistry Partnerships Yorkshire, “It has been a pleasure working with Housing 21 to deliver Box Tree Court. This year has certainly provided unprecedented challenges, but we are extremely proud of the scheme and hope that people really enjoy living there.”

For more information visit the Box Tree Court page.