An extra care facility for older people built on the grounds of a derelict century-old school has been unveiled in a 178-home regeneration scheme.
Housing association Torus bought the land in 2020, and it has now built 102 independent living apartments with care support on the former Rock Ferry High School site in Birkenhead, Wirral.
Named Spinnaker House in a nod to the area’s nautical heritage, and the former owner of the site being a maritime trader, it is part of Torus’ £25m investment that has seen it build 76 houses and bungalows on the plot.
Steve Coffey, Torus Group’s chief executive, said: “Spinnaker House is the key part of this large-scale brownfield regeneration project supported by over £5m Homes England grant that has rejuvenated a disused site into what will be a thriving community that meets the needs of local people.
“It will allow people to live independently in a welcoming, modern environment while being part of a neighbourhood with families living in the new houses and bungalows on the site. The extra care facility has been carefully considered to cater for people as they get older or as their needs change.
“With dementia friendly designs and assisted technology installed throughout the building with devices such as fall pendants and activity sensors all linked and connected, it will provide peace of mind for residents and their families alike.”
The school opened in the 1920s but stood empty after merging with Park High School in 2011 to create what is now Birkenhead Park School, with Torus transforming the site to meet local housing needs.
Spinnaker House’s self-contained one- and two-bedroom apartments will help people remain independent for as long as needed with flexible on-site care provided by Wallasey-based Professional Care which was commissioned by Wirral Council.
Each apartment has its own front door, kitchen, living area, bathroom with an en suite level access wet room and new technologies to support people living independently.
To help create a community feel, a bistro with a dining area and a hair and beauty salon run by nearby businesses will give the local economy a boost with both open to residents and the general public.
Guest bedrooms for visiting families and friends, spacious communal social areas, lifts to all floors, mobility access, laundry room, communal gardens and assisted bathrooms are all exclusive to residents.
Seafaring heritage
To reflect the local community’s seafaring heritage, some windows feature a wave design pattern while the interior has a marine theme with artwork depicting Cammell Laird shipyard and sailing boats along with an ornamental brass diver’s helmet.
As part of Torus’ regeneration, a new access road was built and named Walter Smith Way in memory of Walter Smith the Rock Ferry councillor and former Wirral Mayor who served the area for over 40 years including being chair of governors at Rock Ferry High School.
Providing extra care housing across the borough is a priority of the Wirral Plan 2023-27 as part the Wirral Housing Strategy, delivered under the ‘promoting independence and healthier lives’ theme.
The authority’s current extra care gap analysis states that by 2035, 785 extra care units (single households) will be needed. The borough’s current total sits at 602.
With 19 schemes already operating across specialist and general extra care for people of all ages, the council is responding to the changing needs of Wirral communities.
Councillor Paul Stuart, leader of Wirral Council, said: “In Wirral, we’re doing things differently. We’re much further ahead than a lot of areas in terms of the number of extra care schemes we have and the way we commission that care.
“We are leading the way on this scheme by making council-owned land for much-needed specialist housing available for people of all ages.
“We know that the population of older people in Wirral is increasing and we’re responding to that change.”
Torus and Wirral Council are working together to let the Spinnaker House apartments at affordable rent which is 80% of market rent levels.
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