Show home opens at new Fakenham Extra Care development

Staff at Meadow Walk, a new Housing 21 Extra Care development on Trinity Road in North Norfolk, celebrated the official opening of its show home this week.

Meadow Walk, developed in partnership Norfolk County Council and North Norfolk District Council, is Housing 21’s first Extra Care scheme in Norfolk and will provide much needed accommodation for local people over the age of 55. The development, under construction by Healthcare and Community Construction Ltd and supported by Homes England, will offer 66 one and two bedroom apartments for affordable rent and shared ownership.

Meadow Walk 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 their own home, with a range of facilities on hand 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.

Housing 21 staff were joined by Cllr Bill Borrett, Norfolk County Council’s Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care and Cllr Sarah Bütikofer, Leader of North Norfolk District Council, who officially opened the new show home.

Cllr Bill Borrett, Norfolk County Council’s Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care, said: “I am really pleased to see the Show Home at Meadow Walk, this is the first of our Independent Living sites open for people to view. We’ve talked a lot about the benefits of Independent Living, but now anyone who wants to find out more can see for themselves exactly what their home on one of these excellent schemes could provide. Housing 21 have done a great job of creating not just a home, but a whole community here at Meadow Walk.

“Everyone knows we’re going to have to work hard to support our ageing population over the coming years. Schemes like this one show that it is possible in a way that allows people to live in their own home keeping their independence, while getting the support they need.”

Cllr Sarah Bütikofer, Leader of North Norfolk District Council (NNDC) said: “NNDC is delighted to see the progress with this scheme and to get the first look inside a new home.

“Extra Care housing offers people the ability to live independently in their own home with their own front door but with peace of mind from having care available, if needed, and staff available 24/7.

“These homes offer an affordable option, to rent or buy, for older residents and we would like to see more new schemes like this across the district giving greater choice and providing quality homes.”

Jayne Read, Housing and Care Manager at Meadow Walk said: “We are delighted to open this fantastic new show home and can’t wait to hear feedback from the local community.

“Meadow Walk 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 spring 2021. We’re hoping this is some positive news for the local community!”

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.

Find more information on our safety measures in Housing 21 show homes.

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