Picture above – Philip Atkins, Jean Jarvis MBE, from Wrekin Housing Trust, and Patrick McLoughlin

A new £12 million community and housing development has been officially opened in Cannock.

The new scheme is designed to allow older people to maintain their independence as well as offering services to the wider community.

The Longford development on the old Langbourn site on Longford Road in Cannock, combines Chasewood extra care housing, Woodland View respite care for people with learning disabilities and the Longford Centre community facilities.

The centre also includes a restaurant, pharmacy, sensory gardens and the Alderwood Medical Practice.

Chasewood Extra care has 63 modern one and two-bedroom apartments as well as communal facilities. The apartments have been designed mainly for people aged 55-plus, as well as younger people who want to live independently but may need some extra support.

The extra care scheme will be run by ShireLiving, a partnership between Wrekin Housing Trust and Choices.

Added to this, Woodland View offers short term breaks for people with learning disabilities and their carers, run by Lifeways. . The facility consists of nine en-suite bedrooms and one self-contained flat to help people with learning disabilities on their way to independence.

Secretary of State for Transport and former Cannock county and district councillor Patrick McLoughlin officially opened the development along with Staffordshire County Council leader Philip Atkins.

Mr McLoughlin said: “Having represented this area as a district and county councillor, I am very impressed with the scope of the Longford Centre. It has transformed this particular site, offering a modern complex that combines extra care and specialist respite together with great facilities for the local community.

“Maintaining your independence as you get older is extremely important, so I am really pleased to see the county council, local housing associations and others planning ahead to offer the services people need, when they need them.”

Councillor Atkins said: “This develoement is yet another example of our commitment to providing modern, spacious housing for our older people so they can keep their independence for as long as possible.

“Nearly 80,000 out of a population of 350,000 in Staffordshire is over the age of 75, increasing the demand for houses specially designed to meet the needs of older people and those with disabilities. By investing in facilities such as Chasewood, we can ensure we support the needs of our local people both now and in the future.”

Jean Teichmann, head of development at the Wrekin Housing Trust added: “This development is a great example of what partners can achieve for the local community by working together. Our Shire Living schemes are proving to be very popular, and Chasewood is no exception.”

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February 16, 2015