Market Drayton residents have had their first glimpse of how the town’s elderly could be living in the future.
Plans to build up to 30 new Extra Care homes at the
former Hawkesford Buildbase site in Adderley Road were on display in the town last Friday.
The plans are part of a £137 million scheme by Shropshire Council to provide one and two bedroom homes for elderly people in Shropshire who need occasional care
without moving into a residential or nursing home.
The scheme is being funded under the Government’s
Private Finance Initiative and council bosses are hopeful that it will go ahead.
Director of resources Laura Rowley said: “We’re absolutely delighted that we have an opportunity to create new facilities across Shropshire for older people and the Government funding helps us take this forward at a faster pace than we would have been able to manage on our own.
“What it will mean is that older people in Shropshire will be able to live in their own homes, but with extra support and without having to go into residential care.”
Market Drayton is one of eight sites across Shropshire chosen for the scheme and construction could start as early as 2013.
Frances Bevan from the Market Drayton Senior Citizens Forum said: “I think it’s a brilliant use of Government funding through the private finance initiative and with an
ageing population, particularly in Market Drayton, it’s well-needed because it’s been many years since the town had any development for the elderly.”
Market Drayton mayor Councillor Roger Smith said: “Like everybody else, I think it’s a much needed scheme in Market Drayton and I’m sure it will be well received by everyone in the town.
“I think it’ll be an absolute bonus because the site it’ll go on is becoming derelict and it would be nice to see the
development right next to Raven House as the two things would complement each other.”
Shropshire Council member for Market Drayton Councillor David Minnery said: “I am delighted that Shropshire Council has decided to allocate some of these Extra Care homes to Market Drayton and that they have been able to secure a suitable site.
“There is no doubt that there is a large demand for this type of housing in the area, so this is another piece of good news for the town and its people.”
By Winston Brown
