New housing to make over-55s HAPPI

Work has started on an innovative purpose-built housing scheme for over-55s to buy or rent.

The project, at Danesmoor Drive in Bury, is the brainchild of St Vincent’s Housing Association and Bury Council, and is their first ‘Housing our Ageing Population: Panel for Innovation’ (HAPPI) scheme. 

The £2.3 million scheme has received funding from the Homes and Communities Agency and the Department of Health, and is due to be completed in April 2016.

Danesmoor Drive aims to offer a haven of ‘later living’, with easy access to local shops, surgeries and amenities, and good public transport links to the town centre.

The development comprises 16 one and two-bedroomed apartments for affordable rent, and three two-bedroomed bungalows for sale on a shared ownership basis.

The new homes offer contemporary style and energy efficiency, with private balconies to each apartment. There is also a communal lounge and garden, plus onsite parking.

Councillor Rishi Shori, Bury Council’s cabinet member for finance and housing, said: “This is a fantastic project which the council is proud to be fully behind. St Vincent’s are building top quality, affordable accommodation with services and amenities close by, and I am sure this will be hugely popular among over-55s.”

Charlie Norman, chief executive of St Vincent’s Housing Association, said: “This is St Vincent’s first HAPPI scheme and I know it will be of great benefit to Bury and the locality. The HAPPI schemes are entirely designed to suit the needs of older people who wish to remain completely independent and active.

“The scheme is a mix of affordable rent and shared ownership and we are already getting lots of enquiries from people in the area who perhaps wish to downsize or love the idea of a brand new contemporary home designed around their needs. Danesmoor Drive is a delightful spot so we were very keen to ensure the design is both sympathetic and in keeping with the area.”

For more information about St Vincent’s HAPPI homes, go to:

http://www.svha.co.uk/happi-homes

To discuss housing for rent: call 0161 772 2163 or email jane.sutton@svha.co.uk

To discuss shared ownership: call 0161 772 2165 or email edward.taylor@svha.co.uk

ENDS

Press release issued: 3 November 2015.

Picture: The team at the Danesmoor Drive development in Bury (from left) Councillor Rishi Shori, Bury Council’s cabinet member for finance and housing; Luke Rowlands from Pennington Consultants; Moorside ward councillor Dot Cassidy; Paul Aungier, from the council’s property services; Liz Gudgeon from urban renewal; Damien Mason from St Vincent’s Housing Associaton; Pat Jones-Greenhalgh, executive director of communities and wellbeing; Yvonne McDermott from St Vincent’s; and Charlie Norman, St Vincent’s chief executive.