Wigan Council has appointed Vistry Partnerships to oversee the construction of its Wharfdale Extra Care facility in Leigh.
The £7.5m contract means Vistry Partnerships will work with the local authority for the first time and build 56 high-quality extra care apartments purposefully designed with the town’s elderly residents in mind. Each of the specialist properties will be affordable and available for rent through the Council. Wigan Council are funding the scheme with support from Homes England and the Ministry for Housing Communities and Local Government.
Alongside the homes, residents will benefit from a range of on-site facilities, including a communal lounge, assisted bathroom and quiet room. There will also be newly landscaped garden areas accessible to residents.
Commenting on their appointment, Vistry Partnerships’ Managing Director for the North West, Ian Hilliker, said: “At Vistry Partnerships, we have extensive experience designing and constructing extra care schemes so we’re thrilled to be working with Wigan Council for the very first time on their flagship Wharfdale project. As one of the country’s leading regeneration specialists we recognise the need to work alongside partners to deliver homes of all tenures, particularly homes and care services for elderly locals, and we would like to thank Wigan Council for choosing us to make their idea a reality.”
The new building will be a three-storey L shaped complex featuring one and two-bedroom apartments.
Jo Willmott, Wigan Council’s Assistant Director of Provider Management and Market Development, said: “With the borough’s elderly population set to increase, Wigan Council will continue to do everything it can to meet the needs of older residents, including those who need extra support or care to maintain their independence.
“Extra care is a type of specialised housing that provides independence and choice to people with varying care needs. Developments like Wharfdale in Leigh not only allows for around the clock support and increased independence but helps people to be happy and connected by tackling social isolation and loneliness.
“We look forward to working with Vistry on this transformational project which will undoubtedly make a massive difference to many peoples’ lives.”
With work underway on site, Vistry Partnerships is due to complete the entire Wharfdale transformation before the end of 2022.
