Swindon Borough Council’s commercial house building programme will step up a gear when work to build 14 adaptable bungalows starts next month.
The two-bedroom properties in Pilgrim Close, Shaw, have been designed to be easily adapted to meet the future needs of occupiers of any age, but particularly suitable for the retired or those with disabilities, to enable them to remain in their homes for longer.
The assisted living homes, which were designed and developed by the Council’s architect, have been successfully built on more than three sites in Swindon for the Council’s Housing Department to help reduce the need for people with care requirements to be accommodated out of Swindon. They also enable the Council’s adult social care teams to support residents to improve their independence and daily living skills.
The properties benefit from level floors, high level storage areas, rear-covered patios, off-road parking, adaptable en-suite bathrooms and are wheelchair accessible throughout. Further specialist adaptations to the properties can be undertaken to allow for the provision of hoists and other equipment, if required.
The site was identified because it is perfectly placed within the existing Shaw community being adjacent to shops, a doctor’s surgery, the post office, church and close to public transport links. By delivering the development, the existing local residents will also benefit from additional parking in the area and improved footpath and cycle path links.
The new homes are due to be completed by spring next year and will be available through Charles Harding Estate Agents, who will be promoting the unique development. The income generated from the sales will be used to support existing Council services.
Councillor Russell Holland, Swindon Borough Council’s Cabinet Member for Finance, said: “This is a very important development because it will not only bring in much-needed revenue to support council services, but it will also allow people to live independently for longer helping to reduce the considerable pressures on our adult social care budget.
“The homes themselves have been designed to extremely high standards and the flexible living accommodation can be quickly adapted to changing needs.”
Councillor Gary Sumner, Swindon Borough Council’s Cabinet Member for Strategic Planning, said: “We have been working closely with ward councillors across the borough to find suitable Council-owned sites that will allow the Housing Company to build the homes that people need.
“These bungalows are a perfect example of how the Council can make best use of its parcels of land to bring forward a scheme that will bring huge benefits to the local community and I look forward to many more schemes coming forward in the coming months and years.”