Major redevelopment work is underway to provide up to date facilities for residents at Two Castles Housing Association’s sheltered housing scheme Castle Close development in Whickham, near Gateshead.
The Castle Close scheme, which currently provides sheltered accommodation for residents aged 60 years and over, will be transformed into 22 self-contained flats as part of £2.2 million refurbishment programme. This will also include the redevelopment of Two Castles’ nearby Tindale Drive sheltered housing scheme.
Designed and built in partnership with Esh Property Services, the transformation of Castle Close will see a mixture of one and two bedroom flats created on-site with a number of improvement works to update the scheme’s layout and accessibility.
Dave Armstrong, housing services director at Two Castles, said: “We’re delighted that work has started to modernise facilities and provide more spacious accommodation for residents at Castle Close.
“The original design for the layout of the building will be completely transformed to improve accessibility for our residents, whilst all the original bed-sits built 30 years ago will be replaced with contemporary self-contained flats incorporating a range of tailored design features chosen by the residents themselves.
“We would like to thank all of the Castle Close residents and their families for their support during the construction process and look forward to seeing residents return into their new homes following the scheme’s completion. We would also like to thank Gateshead Council and Anchor HA, who provided temporary accommodation for residents during the refurbishment.”
Each self-contained flat will include a modern fully-fitted kitchen as well as contemporary bathroom facilities specially designed to cater for each resident’s independent living needs.
The energy efficient scheme will also see the installation of photovoltaic panels to the roof of the building to provide energy to communal areas and will see improvements made to facilities such as the lounge and external sundeck areas as well as the installation of a new platform lift and improved wheelchair access.
Graham Morgan, operations director at Esh Property Services, said: “Residents have been closely involved in helping us, together with HMH Architects, to develop the designs for the project - it’s been a very enjoyable exercise.
“This collaboration has led to the design of really great new living space which is ideal for residents’ needs and all within the budget. This scheme under the Two Castles Housing Association and Esh Group partnership is aiming to complete the work in Castle Close in October.”