Magna Housing has topped out its 55-home extra care scheme in Gillingham, Dorset, marking a key milestone for the project.
St Martin’s will offer 55 one- and two-bedroom rented apartments for people who need additional support while living independently.
Magna’s chief executive, Selina White, was joined by Phil Farminer, managing director of construction partners Countryside Partnerships Southern; the mayor of Gillingham, Barry Von Clemens; and Graham Carr Jones, lead member for Housing at Dorset Council, to place a ceremonial ridge tile on the roof to mark the traditional milestone of topping out the building.
Extra care, which is different to sheltered housing and residential care, offers a home designed to adapt to people’s changing care needs and the needs of people with disabilities.
Each apartment will be fully self-contained for independent living, according to Magna Housing, with communal facilities for activities and meals and 24-hour support on hand.
Magna said it expects to open St Martin’s in the autumn.
‘Key milestone’
Selina White, chief executive of Magna, said: “St Martin’s is an important development for Magna and the local area; extra care enables customers to live independently in their own home within a supportive, accessible environment.
“Thanks to our construction partners Countryside Partnerships, the building is coming together beautifully, and we’re looking forward to welcoming people to their new homes later this year.”
Phil Farminer, managing director of Countryside Partnerships Southern, said: “We’re delighted to be building this new extra care development for Magna and topping out the building is a key milestone for all involved.
“We believe it’s vital that we build the right homes in the right places, including for people who need additional support, and St Martin’s will provide a significant number of high-quality extra care apartments.”
Cllr Graham Carr Jones, lead member for Housing and Homelessness at Dorset Council, said: “This development is responding directly to need in terms of the type of housing and the social needs of people who require extra care to live independently.
“It’s an inclusive development that promotes wellbeing and weaves into the fabric of the community, both as part of the development itself and within the town.
“The collaboration between all involved means we have a development that secures provision for extra care now and in the future.”
Cllr Barry Von Clemens, mayor of Gillingham, added: “It’s great to have 55 much-need new rented apartments in the centre of the town.
“It will enable people who may be looking for some extra support when they’re living in their own home to remain within the community of Gillingham.”
Image: (L-R): Selina White; Cllr Barry Von Clemens; Phil Farminer; Cllr Roger Weeks, deputy mayor of Gillingham; and Jason Waller, site manager, Countryside Partnerships
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