BUILDING work has begun this week on a modern, purpose-built housing with care development in Annan.
Loreburn Housing Group are developing the new homes in partnership with Dumfries and Galloway Health and Social Care Partnership and Key Community Support.
The development is at a long-derelict site of a former garage on Station Road in Annan, next to Annan Railway Station. It will provide seven homes and be ready for occupation in May 2020, and it has been co-designed through the joint approach taken by Loreburn and a range of partners in Health and Social Care.
Loreburn CEO Lorraine Usher said: “We are very pleased to be working alongside the Health and Social Care Partnership to deliver specialist housing in the region.
“There is strong evidence that housing with support and care is under developed and we are keen to work with partners to meet that need and create homes which meet the aspirations of tenants and their families.
“The Annan development is a great example of this joint working.
“The homes will enable individuals to live independently with support close at hand. The development will be accessible with design features such as assistive technology to support independence and wellbeing.
“Homes will be let on a secure tenancy, providing individuals with the knowledge and security of a long-term home designed to meet their requirements now and into the future.
“A huge thank you goes to Dumfries and Galloway Council and the Scottish Government for the support and funding for this project.
“Loreburn has received £723,000 in grant funding from Scottish Government towards its total development costs of £1.85 million.”
In addition to the homes for life, the development will also feature two apartments which will provide an enhanced short breaks service for people with learning disabilities and their family carers.
Allison Breen, a social work member of the multi-disciplinary team of staff who have helped developed the project, said: “It has been a privilege to have been part of this project from concept to fruition.
“Historically some adults with complex needs may have had to move way to find suitable accommodation. However, this project supports individuals to remain connected to their family, friends and community.”
Gary Sheehan is Dumfries and Galloway Health and Social Care’s Locality Manager for Annandale and Eskdale, and he said: “This new and much needed service will help provide more choice and support for people with learning disabilities and their families across Annandale and Eskdale.
“Building on the success of this project, we are already planning to develop more housing with care schemes across the locality, including new Extra Care services for Older People.
“It is great to see such progress being made and I look forward to further new housing with care developments over the next few years.”
Construction on the new development is being undertaken by Ashleigh Building.
