Telford Extra Care development takes shape after ground-breaking ceremony

A ground-breaking ceremony has taken place to celebrate commencement of work at Sandstone Court, a new Extra Care development in Telford. 

Pictured: Tony Tench, Deputy Chief Executive at Housing 21 (centre, left) and Eleanor Deeley, Joint Managing Director at Deeley Group (centre, right), with other Housing 21, Deeley Group and Telford & Wrekin Council representatives at the ground-breaking ceremony. 

The development off Dawley Road on Griffin Drive, Arleston will comprise of 70 affordable one- and two-bedroom apartments, all of which will be available for social rent for local people over the age of 55. 

The £13 million scheme is being delivered by Housing 21, a national leading provider of Retirement Living and Extra Care, in partnership with Telford and Wrekin Council who were instrumental in getting the site to construction. Deeley Construction are the main contractor making it the third project that the Midlands-based construction company will be leading on for Housing 21. The development will be supported by a £4.55m Homes England grant.  

Housing 21’s Deputy Chief Executive, Tony Tench joined other Housing 21, Deeley Construction and Telford and Wrekin Council representatives to celebrate. 

Deborah Hope, Head of Development at Housing 21, said: “We are excited to work in partnership with Telford and Wrekin Council and this site represents the first of a number we are looking to deliver together. This will be the third site we have delivered with Deeley Construction and we know that the quality and professionalism they bring will be much appreciated here.  

“Sandstone Court will provide much needed, high-quality accommodation to support local older people and their changing needs as well as being a great addition to the local economy.” 

Telford & Wrekin Council has developed a Specialist and Supported Accommodation Strategy which contributes to its overall Housing Strategy. Through the strategy, the council is committed to supporting the most vulnerable adults and children in the borough by giving residents access to suitable housing. 

Councillor Richard Overton (Lab), Telford & Wrekin Council’s Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Housing Enforcement and Transport, said: “This is a very exciting project and we are very pleased to see construction work starting on site. 

“This development supports our housing strategy in terms of providing new specialist and supported accommodation for our residents across the borough. As a council which is on your side, we remain committed to supporting our residents and look forward to seeing this housing development project come to fruition.” 

This new development is scheduled to open in early 2024. Once open, the scheme will also provide future residents with a variety of modern communal spaces including a residents’ lounge, on-site café/bistro and hair salon which will be available for use by the wider local community. 

Christine Seaton, Senior Growth Manager Affordable Housing at Homes England, said: “At Homes England we are pleased to support the development of high-quality Extra Care housing using affordable housing grants and working in partnership with Housing 21, Telford & Wrekin Council and Deeley Construction.   

“When the Dawley Road Extra Care development is complete it will provide much needed 1 and 2 bed homes for rent to the over 55s and contribute to their wellbeing and building a thriving community.  

“I am delighted with the progress made so far and look forward to seeing the completed scheme in early 2024.” 

Eleanor Deeley, Joint Managing Director at Deeley Group, said: “It was fantastic to bring all of the development partners together to celebrate the start of work on this new Extra Care scheme for Telford. 

“We’re proud of our partnership with Housing 21 and delighted to be working with them again to bring forward this new phase of apartments. 

“Given the challenges people across the country are facing with escalating energy bills, the fact that this will be an all-electric building is a real positive and the energy efficiency will also support Housing 21 in their sustainability targets.”