Penarth extra care scheme gets the go ahead

Wales & West Housing’s (WWH) plans to develop its first extra care scheme in South Wales have been given the go-ahead.

WWH is working in partnership with the Vale of Glamorgan Council, Welsh Government, Asbri Planning and Spring Design to bring the extra care homes to an area of land at Myrtle Close, adjacent to WWH’s existing older person’s housing development at Oak Court.

The Penarth extra care scheme will feature 70 self-contained apartments, with 24-hour on-site care and support, for people with a range of support needs who want to live independently in their own homes but also have the security of on-site care.

Built over three storeys, the eco-friendly apartments are designed to be highly insulated and energy efficient to make running costs lower for the residents who will live there. Solar panels fitted to the roof  will generate power for the building.

The apartments will be set around a landscaped courtyard which will include a “dementia friendly” area for residents. The scheme will also include a restaurant and range of other facilities under one roof.

The extra care scheme will be WWH’s sixth extra care scheme in Wales with others in Aberystwyth, Holywell, Prestatyn, Mold and Newtown.

The Vale of Glamorgan Council approved the plans at their November meeting. At the same meeting they also approved outline permission for a development of 32 apartments for over 55s on land adjoining the extra care scheme. The over 55s apartments will be developed in partnership with the Vale of Glamorgan Council.

Shayne Hembrow, Deputy Chief Executive for Wales & West Housing, said:

“This is great news. We are delighted to be working with the Vale of Glamorgan Council on our first extra care in South Wales to provide modern, high-quality, comfortable independent homes for people with a range of support and care needs.”

“As part of the development, we are also working with the local authority and ecologists to supplement and strengthen the woodland areas nearby. Where possible we will be relocating many of the mature trees to allow more space for them to grow. We will also plant new trees and install bird and bat boxes to encourage local wildlife to thrive.”

“We are proud of our extra care schemes. At our other schemes residents tell us how much it has transformed their lives and helped them to make new friends. We hope we can bring the same transformations to the lives of our residents in Penarth too.”