Worcester Extra Care scheme takes shape at topping out ceremony

Crookbarrow View, a new Extra Care Living development on Whittington Road, moved one step closer to completion as the build reached its highest point. 

A topping out ceremony was recently held to mark the key milestone for Housing 21’s latest Extra Care scheme, which has been developed in partnership with Worcester City Council. The Housing 21 team were joined by representatives from Vistry Partnerships to celebrate the occasion.

Crookbarrow View is Housing 21’s first Extra Care scheme in Worcester and will provide much needed accommodation for local people over the age of 55. The development is supported by Homes England, and will offer 71 one and two bedroom apartments for affordable rent and shared ownership. Crookbarrow View 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.

Councillor Lynn Denham, Vice Chair of Worcester City Council’s Communities Committee and Chair of Worcester Dementia Action Alliance, said: “It’s great to see Crookbarrow View starting to take shape. Once completed, this development will offer high quality, modern and easy-to-maintain accommodation. There will be support available on site, alongside a variety of activities and amenities. Importantly, the scheme has been designed with accessibility for people living with dementia as a top priority, making it a first for Worcester.”

Residents will benefit from a range of on-site facilities, including a café/bistro and hair salon, which are also accessible to visitors and the local community. There is also a residents’ lounge, activity room, and communal gardens for residents and their guests to enjoy.

Deborah Hope, Head of Development at Housing 21 said: “We are delighted to reach this important milestone in the development of Crookbarrow View, our Extra Care scheme in Worcester. Given the backdrop of Covid-19, it has been amazing to watch the team pull together to make sure this much needed housing is delivered. Now, more than ever, it is hugely important that older people in our communities can access high quality housing that is appropriately tailored to their individual needs but is done in such a way that it offers protection and care without them having to be isolated from a community, during these difficult and ever changing times.”

Darren Beale, Regional Director, commented: “We have extensive experience designing and constructing extra care schemes and we’re thrilled to be able to celebrate this milestone with Housing 21. As one of the country’s leading regeneration specialists we recognise the need to support our partners to build homes across all tenures, particularly homes and care services for older people. I would like to thank all our key stakeholders involved in making this a possibility. This is a truly partnership scheme.”

Pictured left to right: Malcolm Hill – Project Manager at Vistry Partnerships, Richard Hancocks – Senior Quantity Surveyor at Vistry Partnerships, Darren Beale – Regional Director at Vistry Partnerships and Russell Thorpe – Finishing Manager at Vistry Partnerships.

Crookbarrow View is set to open in Summer 2021 and the scheme’s show home will be open from Spring 2021. Housing 21 is currently taking expressions of interest from those interested in buying or renting an apartment. For more information, head to the Crookbarrow View webpage.