Proposal submitted by BH Planning & Design on behalf of Esh Construction to build the new homes on vacant land near the A182
An application has been submitted to Sunderland City Council’s planning department for a brand-new extra care development in Washington.
Proposed for vacant land off Moorway, east of the A182 Washington Highway, plans for the new neighbourhood include extra care apartments with communal facilities and bungalows. The new homes will allow local people with a range of care needs to live independently while benefitting from on-site care and support.
BH Planning & Design, a sister company of award-winning property firm Bradley Hall Chartered Surveyors and Estate Agents, submitted the planning application on behalf of clients Esh Construction. Director Mark Ketley said: “We are delighted to have submitted this planning application to Sunderland City Council on behalf of our clients, Esh Construction, for a much needed extra care development in Washington. The North East, especially Sunderland, is a hub of development and regeneration and we are proud to be playing a supporting role in projects which will shape the future builtenvironment of the city.”
Councillor Graeme Miller, leader of Sunderland City Council, said: “Sunderland is working hard to deliver the range of properties residents need, and we know that – as people age – accessible homes with the right support wrapped around them enables our older people to live independently for longer. “I’m thrilled to see this scheme move forward, part of a wider housing strategy that will see 7,000 new homes delivered by 2030.”
The designs include an apartment building containing 84 one and two-bedroom apartments which will be spacious, wheelchair accessible and include fully fitted kitchens and shower rooms. A selection of two-bedroom bungalows will also be built on the site for those who are more independent but wish to take advantage of the on-site facilities.
Plans have been submitted by Esh Construction working in partnership with SP&Architects. Esh’s Head of Land and Partnerships, Laura Devaney, said: “It is widely documented that our ageing society is causing a shortage of later life living options which means building new extra care housing – like the proposed development at Washington – is a high priority. “Extra care schemes allow people to live in their own home and maintain their independence, while accessing on-site care should they need it. The communal living areas create a sense of community which can help combat the loneliness and social isolation that people often experience in later life.”
Care and support will be available 24/7 and all homes will have state of the art electronic care call facilities. The on-site communal facilities feature a multi-functional social hub which includes a café, launderette and hair salon.
The proposal includes communal landscaped gardens, car parking for residents and visitors and a new public footpath from the northern perimeter of the site down to the vehicular entrance for the apartment building.
Solar photo voltaic panels will be installed on the apartment block and a contribution will be made to support general maintenance, habitat and wildlife improvements to the woodland area to the south of the site.
Devaney added: “A public consultation took place via leaflet drop to the local community with comments submitted via a designated website. The responses were widely positive with some notable interest in the new homes.”
