An historic industrial building in Bromborough, Wirral, has been transformed to create 22 affordable apartments, developed by local housing association, Wirral Methodist.
The £2.4 million scheme has transformed the Grade II listed building, which was once the centrepiece of the 29-acre Price’s Candle factory complex with over 150 years of employment history.
The development comprises 16 apartments designed to enable young people with disabilities to live independently and six affordable homes. It has been restored to retain the existing building’s key architectural features from the 1850s to 1950s, without losing its industrial character.
In developing the scheme, Wirral Methodist Housing Association worked with the PALS Group, a group of parents of the 16 young adults that would be moving into the homes, to ensure that they had all the support they need to make the big transition from living at home to moving into their own independent accommodation.
Paul Carhart, chief executive of Wirral Methodist Housing Association, said: “We were delighted to be able to use our experience in providing new homes for people with disabilities, together with our expertise in working with listed buildings, to transform this unique site into a vibrant new development while preserving its history and heritage.
“Working in partnership with the PALS group and other specialist providers has been vital to ensuring that the design of the apartments and the support provided would best enable the young people moving into these homes to make the transition to independent living.
“The response we had really demonstrates the demand for affordable homes locally, with over 100 bids received the six general needs apartments alone.”
The scheme, which was delivered in partnership with architect Ainsley Gommon and constructed by Plant Building Contractors Ltd, received a £660,000 Homes England grant to bring it to fruition.