Development of new bungalows in Longhill is given the thumbs up

Development of new bungalows in Longhill is given the thumbs up

Work on two new developments of purpose-built bungalows for the over-60s in Longhill is almost complete.

Pickering and Ferens Homes’ Board of Trustees visited the sites, which were made possible by £585,000 of funding from The Department of Health, to see progress ahead of the first residents moving in early next year.

The charity’s Chair, Tom Hogan, was proud to show fellow trustees around the sites at Weaver Grove and Larne Road, in east Hull.

Designed by Hull-based architects Gammond Evans Crichton, the developments are being built by Hull firm Hobson and Porter.

The residents who will live in the bungalows from next year will also have access to a communal area, providing opportunities to socialise and access Pickering and Ferens Homes’ wider network of renowned support services and activities programme.

Mr Hogan said: “I am delighted that these innovative schemes, which have been carefully designed to meet our resident’s needs, are reaching the completion stage.

“These bungalows really do have to be seen to be believed and are an excellent addition to our existing portfolio within the city.

“Pickering and Ferens Homes, in partnership with Hull City Council, is playing a key role in the provision of housing for older people and we were incredibly pleased to secure funding to turn our vision into a reality on these sites.

“Our new developments ensure we are continuing to provide older people with opportunities to live in purpose-built accommodation, which gives them chance to live at the centre of an established community in properties that are all on one level.”

Councillor John Black, Ward Councillor for Longhill and a Trustee of Pickering and Ferens Homes, said: “Pickering and Ferens has for many years developed a successful partnership with Hull City Council to provide quality homes and bungalows for the elderly in the city.

“As a Ward Councillor I welcome the first development of two bedroomed bungalows in the Longhill and Bilton Grange area and look forward to the possibility of a number of similar developments in the area in the future.”

Andy Beach, Senior Contracts Manager at Hobson and Porter, added: “We are really proud to be playing such an important role in developing this high-quality, innovative housing in Longhill.

“It has been a privilege for me to work on these sites knowing that ultimately the properties we are building on behalf of Pickering and Ferens Homes will literally be life changing for the residents who will live in them once complete.”

The development of these 15 bungalows is supported by the Care and Support specialised Housing Fund, announced by the Department of Health in 2012.

The main aim of the fund is to support and accelerate the development of the specialised housing market, recognising a national shortfall of housing which
enables vulnerable people to live independently.

Over five years, the Department of Health is making available £160m capital funding for specialist housing providers to bring forward proposals for development of specialist housing to meet the needs of older people and adults with disabilities.