Carlisle housing scheme inspires £3m project

By Victoria Brenan

Published at 11:37, Wednesday, 20 February 2013

A Carlisle housing scheme has been such a success that a new £3 million development is being modelled on it.

The Heysham Gardens development in Carlisle

The Heysham Gardens scheme in Raffles, which provides 60 homes for the over 55s, is the inspiration for Eden Housing Association’s new development of 19 flats.

The housing association has been given £500,000 from the government plus an additional £250,000 from the county council, to fund the project in Mill Gardens, Kirkby Stephen.

The project will cost £3.1m in total and involves demolishing the existing Mill Gardens and creating 19 self-contained apartments and communal facilities.

Plans have been sent to Eden Council for planning permission and subject to approval, work could start as soon as May.

John Clasper, managing director of Eden Housing Association, said the scheme would provide “lifetime homes for affordable rent”.

“The outside of the building will have a traditional look in keeping with its ‘Mill Gardens’ name, but inside will be much lighter and more spacious,” he said.

“The apartments can be adapted as residents’ needs change.

“The Heysham Gardens scheme in Carlisle was our first purpose-built extra care scheme and we have learned a lot from that. Our Mill Gardens residents have also visited our development in Carlisle and are encouraged by the plans for Kirkby Stephen.”

He said residents had been very involved in the process and in helping put the plans together.

“They were keen for the communal lounge area to lead onto the patio so the plans were altered accordingly,” he said. “Those planning to move back to Mill Gardens will also have a say in the colours and styles for their kitchens.”

The scheme will have 16 two-bedroom apartments and three single-bedroom apartments as well as a café/dining area, a treatment room, communal lounge, scooter store, assisted bathroom and staff facilities.

If permission was granted, EHA said the scheme would open in summer 2014.

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