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Funds approved for Birmingham's Fourth Retirement Village The Department of Health's Extra Care Housing Fund announced today that it would provide £3,500,020 to support the development of a fourth Birmingham retirement village in Shaftmoor Lane, Acocks Green. The announcement follows a funding application by village development partners Birmingham City Council and The ExtraCare Charitable Trust. The Shaftmoor Lane Village will provide over 250 affordable homes and an enriching lifestyle for older people in the wider community, who will be able to take advantage of the many health and social facilities planned within the Village. The scheme will boast a village hall, restaurant, bar, café, spa pool, fitness gym, village shop, arts and crafts centre, IT suite, hair dressing salon, library, quiet lounge, relaxation room, woodwork shop, well-being centre, greenhouse, landscaped gardens, and 'enriched activities' area for people with dementia-related conditions. In addition to the Village, the City Council will look to develop a mix of new family housing in the area to meet the growing need for affordable housing in the city. The announcement follows The ExtraCare Charitable Trust's launch of a £10 million Village Life Appeal in March this year, to fund vital health and social facilities in four retirement villages across the city. The first scheme, in New Oscott, began construction in 2007 for completion in 2010. A second scheme, on the Longbridge Estate in Egghill, was also announced last year. In addition to the Acocks Green Village, a further scheme is planned for Newtown. Councillor John Lines, Cabinet Member for Housing said: "We are making a significant contribution to the well-being of older people by developing housing options that promote independence that meets the care needs and aspirations of our growing older population. We are now one step closure to realising our aspiration for six villages in the city. "With our partners, we will continue to deliver a range of long term housing solutions for our citizens who deserve affordable housing choice throughout their life." Partnership Director for The ExtraCare Charitable Trust, John Payne, comments: "We are delighted that this Birmingham Village has been included in the Department's funding plans this year. The scheme offers opportunities for Birmingham residents to rent, part-purchase or buy their village property at an affordable cost. "It will be an attractive housing solution for both tenants and an increasing number of older home owners who will not need to leave or sell their village home if they require care and have only limited resources to meet their costs." The scheme is planned to start on site by summer next year. |
