Leazes Homes and Keepmoat have marked the completion of external work on a new extra care facility for older people with a topping out ceremony on the former IRDL factory site in Byker.
Bill Midgley, Chair of Leazes Homes, who owns the new facility, Lawson House, and neighbouring apartments for older people, placed the last ridge tile on the roof alongside representatives from Keepmoat. Keepmoat will now begin internal finishes on the building, which forms part of a wider regeneration project.
Bill Midgley with representatives from Keepmoat on top of Lawson House
Lawson House boasts 36 apartments as part of an assisted living block, which will offer high quality accommodation for those with additional support needs and will be managed by Your Homes Newcastle.
Working in partnership with Newcastle City Council, Leazes Homes and Your Homes Newcastle, Keepmoat is also delivering 80 two and three bedroom houses at The Grove development, as well as 12 bungalows for older people.
Bill Midgley said: “Our extra care scheme, Lawson House, will offer 21st century living accommodation and support services for older people. It has been carefully designed to meet a range of care needs and provide a supportive environment, while at the same time encouraging independent living.
“High quality accommodation for those with additional support needs is extremely important, particularly as we have an ageing population here in Newcastle. Lawson House will offer a value for money alternative to the increasing costs associated with residential care, which reduces pressures on council budgets and the purse strings of those requiring support and offers peace of mind that residents are in safe hands.”
Lee Francis, area director for Keepmoat in the North East, said: “This major regeneration project is really taking shape and we were delighted Leazes Homes joined us for a key milestone in the scheme. With the external finishes complete, we are now on course to officially handover Lawson House in late July, which will offer housing solutions and support for our aging population in Newcastle.
“We have some fantastic communal facilities being built as part of the project that will bring together a number of generations and help form an integrated community; and early interest has been incredibly promising.
“Our Homes team have taken remarkable early sales, particularly from the first time buyer market, which has been buoyed by schemes like Help to Buy; so this new community is offering bespoke options for buyers at both ends of the ladder.”
For more information regarding Keepmoat, please visit keepmoat.com.