Shortage of homes for the elderly in Telford to be tackled
An “ideal” plan to help tackle an “increasingly worrying” shortage of housing for the elderly in Telford is unveiled today.
Official figures reveal there is a serious lack of good quality housing and care for the ageing post war baby boom generation.
McPhillips (Wellington) Ltd, one of Shropshire’s leading construction companies, is working with Taylor Wimpey and The Wrekin Housing Trust to build “five star” Extra Care apartments for independent living inside a “hotel feel” scheme for the over 55’s in Wellington plus around 70 homes.
With demand for assisted living in Telford predicted to continue to rise sharply over the next few years, the development on land on the edge of Wellington is “ideal,” said Pam Edwards, the Trust’s Extra Care director.
“As we all age we want and expect better accommodation. This is five star accommodation with a hotel feel about it and will mean more people can live independently but within easy reach of help if and when they need it.
“There is an increasingly worrying shortage of housing for the elderly across Telford but particularly in the Wellington area.”
The scheme due to go to planners involves building a three storey Extra Care centre with 66 one and two bedroomed apartments, residents lounge, 42 seater restaurant and 32 seater café, both open to the public, a glazed atrium, shop, hairdressers and community rooms.
Included on the nine acre site bordering Holyhead Road and Oaks Crescent are plans for 77 two, three and four bedroomed Taylor Wimpey homes.
500 local residents are being sent a newsletter outlining the proposed development and inviting them to a special consultation at Wellington Civic & Leisure Centre on Thursday, October 17 from 1pm to 8pm.
“We recognise that there is a need for Extra Care to answer the desire for older people to live independently with the increase in our older generation. It will also be a real boost for Wellington’s local economy,” said Peter McPhillips, Joint MD of the company, founded in Wellington 50 years ago by his father.
There are 26,000 residents in Telford & Wrekin aged over 65 with numbers forecast to rise to more than 41,000 by 2030. An extra 1,900 people are expected to live well into their 90’s, a 158 per cent increase on 2013 figures.
Extra Care gives residents an independent lifestyle in their own rented apartments while reducing loneliness and isolation suffered by many elderly.
Demand by older people for the independent Extra Care housing has outstripped supply with 821 requests including 170 applications in the last 12 months, said Mrs Edwards, which proved an overwhelming need for the Wellington scheme, she added.
Landowner McPhillips (Wellington) Limited, the firm behind the plan, has offered to make the site available for free to ensure that the Extra Care scheme can go ahead. But it would not be financially viable without the good quality homes development, said Mr McPhillips.
There are just 200 Extra Care places throughout Telford & Wrekin at Lightmoor and Woodside with another scheme underway to provide more apartments for 60 at Lawley and 86 at Ketley.
There is “zero” provision in the north west of the Borough and no Extra Care in Wellington, added Mrs Edwards.
