Plans to develop a former school site into a new housing scheme and community hub have been approved by Dorset Council at today’s Cabinet meeting (Tuesday 1 March 2022).
The working title for the development – Purbeck Gateway – includes proposals to build new affordable homes for people with care and support needs on the 1.6 hectare site at Worgret Road, Wareham, where the middle school previously stood.
Proposals for the site, put forward by the council’s Building Better Lives team, include:
• An Extra Care Housing scheme – providing housing with onsite care and support
• Affordable housing – including permanent Supported Living accommodation for residents of neighbouring Red Oak Court
• Space for a GP Surgery and community pharmacy
• Space for early years provision, incorporated in the Extra Care accommodation
The scheme will provide homes, care and jobs for the local community.
The council has been given the go ahead to start looking for a development partner next month, who will build the Extra Care accommodation and other housing. The procurement process is expected to take approximately six months to complete and building work is predicted to start on site next summer.
Councillor Graham Carr-Jones, Portfolio Holder for Housing and Community Safety, said: “This development has been a long time in the making – the world has changed since this idea was first conceived. We’re thrilled this great scheme is moving forwards and we can now start turning our vision into reality.
“Creation of new specialist affordable housing in Wareham is expected to have considerable health and wellbeing benefits for our residents who live in the Purbeck area.
“Modern, custom-made homes, with care services onsite, will support and enable people to live independently for as long as possible.
“We will be using the latest technology and building design techniques to create environments where residents can feel relaxed, safe and supported.
“This is an exciting time for Dorset Council and the people of Purbeck.”
Residents who currently live in temporary, relocatable Supported Living accommodation at Red Oak Court will be fully involved with the design of their new homes, plus they’ll be able to watch them being built.
Extra Care Housing is a type of housing with care and support for residents who either need support or who are becoming frail with age. It provides purpose-built apartments for individuals or couples who need care and support to stay independent.
In most schemes, people either rent their apartment or purchase through a shared-ownership model. There is an onsite care and support team present 24 hours a day, to respond to people when they need help. Buildings can incorporate community facilities such as activity spaces, community cafes and gardens.
For more information about the Purbeck Gateway scheme and to keep up to date with developments, please visit dorsetcouncil.gov.uk/buildingbetterlives.
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