Brighton older people housing scheme gets go-ahead

A development of 45 flats offering 24-hour social care support for vulnerable older people in Brighton & Hove has been given the go-ahead.

Brighton & Hove City Council’s planning committee has approved an ‘extra care’ housing scheme in Albion Street, Brighton. It will rise from the site of Brooke Mead, an outdated block of former council accommodation which will be demolished.

Extra care housing is popular with residents as they are able to maintain more independence than they would have in a full-time care home.

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

The chair of the council’s planning committee, Councillor Phelim Mac Cafferty, said: "We have agreed the construction of 45 flats which will offer 24-hour social care support for our older population and those suffering from dementia in Brighton and Hove.

"It is a crucially important development for the city. We have to take seriously the needs of the growing ageing population and the population with dementia. This is housing which is desperately needed and will be well used. I hope it is well loved too.

"I am pleased that a great deal of care has been taken to cater for the needs of older people and those with dementia so they can live in the city-centre and not feel isolated from the community. I’m also delighted that 10% of the accommodation will be fully wheelchair-accessible.”

The development is being led by the council’s housing team with backing from its adult social care team. It won nearly £2.5m of government funding for the development earlier this year.

Demolition of the existing building is due to start early next year, with residents moving in to the ‘new’ Brooke Mead during 2015.