Government awards £2.5m towards cost of flats for old people in Brighton

A proposal to build 45 ‘extra care’ flats for old people in Brighton has won £2.5 million funding from the government.

The self-contained flats will be built on the site of Brooke Mead, an old block of council bedsits in Albion Street which is due to be demolished.

The 45 self-contained one and two-bedroom flats will be purpose-built for older people who wish to continue to live independently but with care and support available when needed.

Brighton and Hove City Council said that it would also contribute towards the cost of the £9 million project with the rest of the funding coming from rents.

Councillor Rob Jarrett, chairman of the council’s Adult Care and Health Committee, said: “We’re very keen to increase the amount of specialised housing for older people and adults with disabilities.

“Extra care housing is a win-win because it enables vulnerable people to maintain their independence but in a supported environment.

“It has proved very popular so this is a massive step forward for us.”

Councillor Bill Randall, chairman of the council’s Housing Committee, said: “The Brooke Mead scheme will help meet the growing demand for extra care housing in the city.

“Thirty per cent of the council’s sheltered housing tenants are aged 80 or more and 49 per cent are disabled.

“Extra care housing provides a cost-effective way of helping them and other older people in the city maintain their independence.”

The ‘new’ Brooke Mead has been designed to national Lifetime Homes standards to meet residents’ changing abilities and circumstances.

The council said that particular care had been taken in the design to cater for the needs of people with dementia.

And 10 per cent of the accommodation will be fully wheelchair-accessible.

The funding is subject to planning approval. An application has been submitted and is due to be considered by the council’s Planning Committee in October.

Should planning permission be granted, the council hopes that work on the scheme will start at the end of the year with residents moving in at the end of next year.