Building work is underway at a new Extra Care Living scheme in Penrith after a ground-breaking ceremony this week.

The new scheme in Cumbria, which is being developed by Housing 21 in partnership with Cumbria County Council and Eden District Council, will provide 54 one and two bedroom apartments for affordable rent and shared ownership. The development will offer people over the age of 55 a range of services and facilities including a 24 hour on-site care team for those who need it, a café/bistro, hair salon and communal lounge which is also available to the local community.

The Extra Care Living development, located off Newton Road, is set for completion in March 2021. The first residents are expected to move into their new homes in summer 2021.

Donna Holmes, Head of Extra Care at Housing 21 said: “We are delighted to be working in partnership with Cumbria County Council and Eden District Council to provide the latest Extra Care scheme in Cumbria.”

“Housing 21 is the leading provider of Extra Care across England, providing at least 10 percent of the country’s provision. We will be working closely with the local schools, older peoples groups and the social work teams in Penrith to ensure a fully integrated and community feel to the scheme upon opening. This ceremony marks the beginning of a very exciting build journey in Cumbria!”

Cllr Peter Thornton, Deputy Leader of Cumbria County Council, said: “I’m delighted that work is now beginning on this scheme. We know that older people want to live independently in their own homes for as long as possible and Extra Care Housing provides homes to make this possible. We are working with housing associations, like Housing 21, to build new schemes by providing an element of grant funding or contributing land for development sites. This Penrith scheme is one of the first to be developed under this approach and I’m very much looking forward to seeing the finished homes.”