An extra care facility for older people built on the grounds of a derelict century-old school has been unveiled in a 178-home regeneration scheme.
Having bought the land in 2020, housing association Torus has built 102 independent living apartments with care support on the former Rock Ferry High School site in Birkenhead, Wirral.
Christened Spinnaker House in a nod to the area’s nautical heritage and the former owner of the site being a maritime trader, it is part of Torus’ £25 million investment that has seen it build 76 houses and bungalows on the plot.
The school opened in the 1920s but stood empty after merging with Park High School in 2011 to create what is now Birkenhead Park School with Torus transforming the site to meet local housing needs.
Spinnaker House’s high-quality self-contained one and two-bedroom apartments will help people remain independent for as long as needed with flexible on-site care provided by Wallasey-based Professional Care which was commissioned by Wirral Council. Each apartment has its own front door, kitchen, living area, bathroom with an en suite level access wet room and new technologies to support people living independently.
To help create a community feel, a bistro with a dining area and a hair and beauty salon run by nearby businesses will give the local economy a boost with both open to residents and the general public. Guest bedrooms for visiting families and friends, spacious communal social areas, lifts to all floors, mobility access, laundry room, communal gardens and assisted bathrooms are all exclusive to residents.
As part of the regeneration, a new access road was built and named Walter Smith Way in memory of Walter Smith the Rock Ferry councillor and former Wirral Mayor who served the area for over 40 years including being Chair of Governors at Rock Ferry High School.
Torus and Wirral Council are working together to let the Spinnaker House apartments at Affordable Rent which is 80% of market rent levels.
