Show home opens at new Boston Spa Extra Care development

Staff at Box Tree Court, a new Housing 21 Extra Care development on Westwood Way, celebrated the official opening of its show home this week.

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, under construction by Vistry Partnerships and supported by Homes England, will offer 44 one and two bedroom apartments for affordable rent and shared ownership.

Box Tree Court has been designed to promote independent living in a community setting, with a care team on-site 24/7 to deliver planned care packages if needed. It will offer people over the age of 55 a range of facilities including an activity room, communal lounge and gardens. An on-site hair salon and café/bistro for residents will also open to the public, subject to government guidelines and social distancing rules upon scheme opening.

The scheme has been developed in partnership with Leeds City Council. Jane Edwards, Housing and Care Manager and Naomi Thornton, Property Sales Consultant at Housing 21 were joined by local Methodist Minister Reverend Steve Jakeman, who officially opened the new show home.

Reverend Steve Jakeman said: “There is no doubt that 2020 has been a very hard year for everyone, and therefore it is good to be able to come here today and be involved in something positive; the official opening of Box Tree Court.

“If nothing else the past few months have certainly taught us that community is important, not just the community of our immediate neighbours, but also the wider community in which we live. It is therefore good to know that Housing 21, through Box Tree Court, will allow some of our older residents, with changing needs, the ability to remain within our village community with a degree of independence, through providing a home in a place where there is a good relationship between housing, health and wellbeing, and social care.

“It's good to know that the complex also houses a café/bistro, and a hair salon two businesses which have been sadly missed for months now, and which I am sure will be very popular.”

Jane Edwards, Housing and Care Manager at Box Tree Court said: “We are delighted to open this fantastic new show home and can’t wait to hear feedback from the local community.

“Box Tree Court has been built with our residents in mind. The apartments are all fitted out with high quality kitchens, easily accessible mid-height ovens, raised power points and level-access showers, but they are also really stylish and modern. We’re really pleased to have guidelines in place which mean we can safely start welcoming people to come and take a look around.

“For those interested in renting or purchasing a shared ownership property at the scheme, we have also been fortunate enough to allow building work to continue safely in recent months, which means we are on track for new homes to be ready by November 2020. We’re hoping this is some positive news for the local community!”

Construction at the development is expected to complete September 2020.

The new show home will have enhanced cleaning procedures after each visit and also on a weekly basis. Anybody experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 will be asked to rearrange their appointment. PPE is also available for visitors to use should they wish.

For further information or to book a viewing, call the New Home Team on 0345 608 4021 or email newhome@housing21.org.uk.