The Weavers’ Court Extra Care scheme, located on the outskirts of Alnwick, has been shortlisted for a prestigious national development award.
The £7m Karbon Homes facility, which opened its doors to new residents in June 2016 and provides 58 units of Extra Care housing for older people, has been shortlisted in the ‘best older people’s housing development (under 100 homes)’ in the Inside Housing Development Awards 2017.
Built by Galliford Try Partnerships North and designed by architects ID Partnership, the scheme includes a mixture of one and two bedroomed apartments for rent and affordable Shared Ownership.
The annual awards celebrate some of the best residential developments across the UK and include thirteen categories recognising schemes, teams and solutions that have been delivered by landlords, developers, architects and funders.
Weavers’ Court is one of eight developments shortlisted in the category which recognises projects that create homes for older people and are desirable and well designed to meet current and future care and support needs.
The scheme acts as a community hub for local older people to access activities and services, such as the popular café, internet access, hairdressing facilities and a range of activities designed to meet the needs and aspirations of both residents and the wider community.
Vince Walsh, Development and Regeneration Manager at Karbon Homes, said: “We are very proud that this development has been shortlisted in these awards. Weavers’ Court was designed with residents at its heart. The scheme utilises best practice in inclusive design and represents a step-change in housing for the elderly, so they can continue to live independently, in their own apartments, but with access to all the care and support they need.
“Weavers’ Court is an outstanding building built to very high standards and is already proving life changing for some of the residents and their families.”
Sara Holmes, Development Director with Galliford Try Partnerships North, added: “We share Karbon Homes’ desire to improve the quality and choice of housing for older people in the North East, so it is pleasing to see our combined efforts have been recognised by such a respected housing sector platform as Inside Housing.
“Whilst winning an award would be a nice bonus, what’s most important is that the residents at Weavers’ Court enjoy and benefit from their new surroundings.”
The winners will be announced at an awards ceremony in London on 23 November 2017.