MP and Mayor break ground at £7.5m housing scheme
The official breaking ground party
Work on a £7.5m charity housing development, which will give 36 disabled people in Harrogate their own front door, has begun.
Harrogate and Knaresborough MP Andrew Jones, and Cllr Victoria Oldham, the Mayor of the Borough of Harrogate, have ‘broken ground’ on land at Claro Road, which will see Disability Action Yorkshire’s existing residential care home make way for three dozen supported living apartments.
The charity, which this year celebrates its 85th anniversary, has partnered with South Yorkshire-based Highstone Housing Association to develop its site, plus an adjacent parcel of land, to accommodate three apartment blocks.
This new complex, which will replace the existing 20-bed facility, will include a base for Disability Action Yorkshire support staff, who will be on site 24-hours-a-day.
The first phase of the scheme will see the construction of 24, one and two-bed apartments, in the grounds of the current home, and on a neighbouring plot which it purchased from Harrogate Borough Council.
Phase two will start with the demolition of the existing care home. This will be replaced with a further block housing a further 12 one and two-bed flats, plus the hub for the DAY team.
Jackie Snape, Disability Action Yorkshire’s chief executive, said: “This has been a very significant occasion for us, on what is possibly one of the most significant days in our 85-year history.
“I’m delighted that Andrew Jones and Cllr Oldham were on hand to perform the ‘breaking ground’ ceremony, which has marked the official start of the scheme.
“They were joined by a number of Claro Road residents, who are eager to move into their own home. For them, that day can’t come soon enough.”
Andrew Jones MP said: “It was a great honour to help with the ground-breaking for the new 36-bed housing development specifically designed for disabled people.
“This is an amazing project that continues Disability Action Yorkshire’s mission to support disabled people in achieving their life aspirations, and takes it to the next level.
“It is a mission that began 85 years ago and one with which I first became involved just under twenty years ago as a councillor. Whether it is supported living, accessible taxis, parking provision or anything else, Disability Action Yorkshire is always there speaking out on behalf of all disabled people.
“This new facility is a huge step forward in what they are able to provide and is a recognition of just how important the work of the organisation is supporting disabled people in our community.”
Joanne Hawley, Highstone Housing Association Executive Director, said: “We are thrilled to have started work on site and we are looking forward to delivering this much needed scheme for new and existing residents alongside our delivery partners Homes England and Disability Action Yorkshire.
“We have designed the development sympathetically to the local surroundings, while also holding a strong character and sense of place for residents.
“The new homes are energy efficient and are designed to provide tenants with homes for life, that will suit their wide-ranging needs.”
Further information about Disability Action Yorkshire, is available from its website, www.disabilityactionyorkshire.org.uk
