Mid Suffolk District Council has approved plans for the development of a 54-home ‘care village’ near the existing village of Thurston.
The plans, which were approved unanimously, are for 14 bungalow-style houses and 40 apartments, to be constructed on a 3.4-acre plot. The project is the brainchild of Housing 21, a national provider of retirement living and extra care. It follows the not-for-profit provider’s similar £9.5m 50-apartment development at Edward Jenner Court in Emersons Green, South Gloucestershire, which recently opened.
The new Thurston development, in common with Edward Jenner Court, forms part of Housing 21’s Extra Care initiative, aimed at allowing residents to live independently with the reassurance of a 24/7 on-site care team. The project includes plans for communal gardens, and Housing 21 intends to have the new homes heated by air source heat pumps. In addition, Housing 21 promises a bistro, café, and hair salon.
Peter Smith, Housing 21’s property development manager, said: “We are excited to propose this high-quality extra care scheme which will be Housing 21’s sixth in Suffolk.
“The site on Heath Road is well-placed to serve the people of Thurston and beyond. In line with our commitment to sustainability, this scheme will be built to an enhanced specification in order to be energy-efficient and have a low carbon impact.
“The 40 apartments and 14 bungalows will be available for shared ownership and social rent; with extra care specifically offering older people the opportunity to live in their own homes, while having access to on-site care if and when needed. This helps people to retain their independence while having a care team close at hand.”
The Thurston development has been warmly welcomed by Thurston Parish Council and local charity Thurston Relief in Need, which worked with Housing 21 on the proposal. Barbara Morris, secretary of the charity, said: “Our long-established aim is to support the needy of the parish. The charity trustees felt that their land could be used to support this need and consequently are pleased to have been working closely with Housing 21 to provide an Extra Care facility on the charity’s land at Heath Road.”
