January 17, 2020 10.37 am This story is over 50 months old

Work begins on £12m extra care housing in Lincoln

70 apartments, a restaurant and a salon will be built on the site
Extra care housing provides accommodation for older people who want to remain “self-sufficient” but also have the option of on-site care if they need it. Photo: Stuart Wilde

Construction has begun on 70 new apartments to replace sheltered housing accommodation at De Wint Court in Lincoln.

The £12 million joint project between the City of Lincoln Council and Lincolnshire County Council was marked with a ground breaking ceremony on Bowden Drive on January 16.

An existing sheltered housing scheme on the site, which is currently empty, will be demolished and the new 70 apartment facility to be built on the site.

Visual of the proposed extra care facility to be built on the site of De Wint Court.

Aimed at the over 55s, 50 one-bedroom and 20 two-bedroom apartments will be built as well as 35 car parking spaces.

There will be on-site care staff, plus facilities such as a restaurant, Wellbeing Suite and hairdressing salon. Construction is due to be completed in the latter-half of 2021.

Extra Care provision is the mid-point between residential care and domiciliary care, enabling flexibility as care needs develop for individuals.

Photo: Stuart Wilde

It also gives people the provision to stay within their local communities and access services close to home.

City of Lincoln Council’s portfolio holder for Quality Housing Councillor Donald Nannestad said he was delighted with the proposals to redevelop De Wint Court which plays a vital part in the authority’s commitment to provide quality homes at affordable rents, including developments with care.

Councillor Nannestad said: “There is a national shortfall of Housing with Care but this development will play a major part in helping us to meet this growing need.

“Official figures show that in Central Lincolnshire 4.2% of people aged 65 and over are living in communal establishments whilst the figure for Lincoln is 5.7%, which is substantially higher than the national figure of 3.7%.”

The current De Wint Court site on Bowden Drive.

Councillor Mrs Patricia Bradwell, executive councillor for adult care at Lincolnshire County Council, said: “This will be a vital extra facility with the forecast increase of older aged people and vulnerable adults in the county, providing accommodation for older people who want to remain self-sufficient but also have the option of on-site care.

“It will mean we can reinvest in preventative services, stopping people from falling ill, whilst promoting wellbeing and independence.”

The scheme is being funded jointly by City of Lincoln Council, Lincolnshire County Council and Homes England.