An £8.9m investment providing extra-care housing for independent living in Sleaford has been given planning permission.
Described as a well-designed scheme, that contributes to the carbon net zero aspirations for the area, the North Kesteven District Council-led plan involves 1.8 hectares of land at the old highways depot at The Hoplands.
Working in partnership with Lincolnshire County Council, the development will include 40 extra-care apartments for older people and 12 maisonettes community-supported living accommodation specifically for adults with learning disabilities, physical disabilities and those who are autistic – all 52 offered at affordable rents – plus 20 houses to further expand local provision.
The extra-care block will include a roof garden as well as enclosed private garden space and the broader development will support an estimated 10% increase in biodiversity, with tree planting, protection measures for existing trees, bird nesting boxes for swifts and sparrows, bat roosting boxes and hedgehog holes within the fencing.
North Kesteven’s planning committee was enthusiastic in its support for the scheme, after hearing that it made a significant contribution to meeting the accommodation needs of three distinct cohorts of people within the District: those aged over-55 with care and support needs; working-aged adults with learning disabilities, physical disabilities and those who are autistic; and those looking for smaller local market properties.
It will all be built in line with North Kesteven’s C02-sy Homes standard of Net Zero Carbon in use and potentially to its higher Passivhaus level, which is a highly energy efficient way of living.
Cllr Richard Wright, the District Council’s Leader and Executive Board Member with special interest in strategic development, said: “In many ways this plan represents the coming together of various strands of the concerns and considerations we have for our communities as councils: the provision of quality, affordable, homes that meet current and emerging needs; the health, wellbeing and safety of our residents; the resilience and sustainability of our communities; the pursuit and promotion of positive climate action; and excellence within the built environment.
“In its entirety, the Hoplands project encapsulates everything we want to see within our communities where people are able to remain living locally, independently and fulfil their potential for as long as they are able.
“It is a cohesive scheme with well-designed structures that tie in with the character of the area, makes effective and efficient use of previously developed land and responds to a number of specific and important areas of housing need. I look forward to seeing it develop over the coming months,” said Cllr Wright.
There will be solar panels for renewable energy generation and design specifics which maximise potential for solar gain without overheating of the accommodation.
There will also be public open space, associated landscaping, contribution to footpath enhancements and almost £30,000 towards capacity expansion within local healthcare.
