26 February 2010
Former Brownfield Site now flagship £7m care complex
A former brownfield site in Wolverhampton has been transformed into a state-of the-art £7M sheltered housing scheme with homes now available for the over 55s.
Showell Court, owned by not-for-profit Accord Housing Association, has been built on Othello Road in Low Hill and contains 64 affordable apartments for older people. The one and two bedroom apartments are available to rent or buy on a shared ownership basis.
Showell Court also features a 50-seat cafe style restaurant, which is also open to the local community. It serves a range of delicious and competitively priced meals including fresh home-made soup, paninis and jacket potatoes.
The scheme also has an IT suite, a spacious lounge and a guest suite that visiting families can use. There are also a number of meetings rooms that can be used by local community groups.
Mark Pearce, Assistant Director of Care and Support at Accord, said: “Accord is committed to providing affordable homes to the communities it serves and is happy to be working with Wolverhampton Council to regenerate this area of Low Hill.
“Showell Court has some fantastic facilities including a contemporary cafe which we would encourage the local community to visit and try out for themselves.”
Hilda Whitehouse, a resident at Showell Court, said: “Since living at Showell Court I have to the best of my ability remained as independent as possible with the help of all the staff.
Showell Court is very open and spacious and staff are very friendly and helpful. I know if I need anything that I only need to call and life is not so lonely now.”
Councillor Les Pugh, Wolverhampton City Council’s Cabinet Member for Adults, added: “Very sheltered housing schemes like Showell Court give residents the ability to live their life with confidence and peace of mind knowing that help is on hand if they need it, whilst at the same time they have the privacy of their own front door to their own apartment.
“Showell Court is a welcome addition to the well-being of the people of Wolverhampton and I am delighted that it is proving so popular with its new residents.”
The scheme, which has been built by Wates Living Space, has been designed to include green features such as Structural Insulated Panel technology which reduces energy consumption. Each apartment also has under-floor heating.
Those interested in living at Showell Court can call the Care & Support Team at Accord Housing Association on 0300 111 7000 or email customerfirst@accordgroup.org.uk