CONSTRUCTION has started on an exciting £19million extra care scheme in Workington, which will offer 107 affordable homes and a range of community facilities.

The Harbour Place development on Lawson Street will offer a mix of supported housing for the local community who have care and support needs- including 79 apartments for people with extra care needs and 28 affordable rent bungalows for people aged over 55.

The scheme will offer a range of facilities for the local area, including a community café and hair and beauty salon.

The scheme developed by The Riverside Group in partnership with housebuilders Atkinson Homes, is now underway after planning permission was granted with a planned completion date of October 2024.

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John Glenton, Riverside’s Executive Director for Care and Support, said: “We are really excited to see work starting on this key extra care scheme, which will bring huge benefits to the local community. An extra care scheme of this size will not only offer support to people in the area with care needs; there will be training and employment opportunities available too.

“Riverside is one of the largest providers of care and support services in the country with a proven track record of transforming lives and revitalising neighbourhoods. Impact Housing, which is now part of the Riverside Group, has long standing ties with the area and we are pleased to be renovating a site that was formerly considered an eyesore into a high-quality development which will benefit the local community.”

Steve Atkinson, Managing Director of Atkinson Homes, said: “We are delighted to work with Riverside once again and be able to allow them to deliver this notable retirement scheme for Allerdale.

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This is another milestone in the growth and success of Atkinson’s. Our team is proud to have been a significant element in this major scheme getting to site, some four years since it was first suggested.”

Allerdale Borough Council’s Housing Manager, Andrea Smith, said: “We are delighted to see work starting on the Riverside Extra Care housing scheme in Allerdale.

“A quarter of Allerdale’s population are aged over 65 years, so it will be brilliant to see the 107 affordable homes and the support that this scheme will bring to people with growing housing support and care needs in our community.”

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