Construction begins on extra care housing development

The first shovels are in the ground for a new housing development in Ashbrow, Huddersfield, which will help people with extra care needs live independently.Ashbrow will be Kirklees Council’s fourth extra care scheme, building upon existing provision in Huddersfield, Dewsbury and Heckmondwike.Part of a wider housing development, the latest project at Ashbrow will consist of 50 one and two-bed apartments.It sit alongside a further 111 two, three and four-bedroom homes. Of these, 98 will be for market sale and 13 will be affordable homes.There will also be 10 homes under the ‘First Homes’ pilot initiative. These will be sold at 70% of the open market value, with Homes England funding the other 30%.The Ashbrow extra care properties will be owned and managed by the council. They are being constructed by Equans Regeneration, with the wider housing development being built by Keepmoat.Councillor Graham Turner, cabinet member for Growth & Regeneration, said: “I’m pleased to see this new development delivering a much-needed extra care scheme for Kirklees residents.“Kirklees Council is working with housing developers on this scheme and will ensure the development reflects the needs of our local communities while helping to ensure market demand is met for new homes on a local and national level.“Extra care homes are an important part of our housing strategy, ensuring we have homes and accommodation for residents of all ages allowing them to live independently longer.”Haydn Tomlinson, land & partnerships manager at Keepmoat Homes, said: “Keepmoat Homes are happy to be delivering this development in partnership with Kirklees Council.“This multi-tenure development will offer much needed, new affordable homes for a wide range of local people. The new homes, extra care facility and green open spaces throughout, will add to the rich character of the local area.”Sean Corcoran, regional director at Equans, added: “We’re pleased to be working with our partners to create these much-needed new homes in Kirklees, which will enable residents to live independently in their community, with the security of care and support on site as and when they need it.“Extra care schemes always prove popular with local people, and I’m sure this development will be no different.”