Forty new affordable homes designed to help older people live independently have officially opened in Newbiggin Hall following a £3.8 million investment in the local community.
Trevelyan Court, built on the site of the former Teasdale House sheltered housing scheme, was officially opened today by Newcastle’s Lord Mayor and local councillor George Pattison at an event attended by Newcastle North MP Catherine McKinnell and residents of the new development.
The new development provides 36 one and two-bedroom apartments and four self-contained bungalows, replacing the 36 bedsits previously provided at Teasdale House.
Trevelyan Court has been developed by Leazes Homes in partnership with Newcastle City Council, with Your Homes Newcastle involved in the development and responsible for managing the completed scheme. Wates Living Space constructed the new homes.
The purpose-built accommodation has been designed to help older residents retain their independence while providing access to additional care and support when needed.
More than 30 of the new properties had already been allocated by the time of today’s official opening.
As well as modern individual homes, Trevelyan Court provides communal facilities designed to bring residents and the wider Newbiggin Hall community together.
These include a licensed restaurant, community spaces, a small library and communal gardens. Two of the four bungalows have direct access to the communal garden.
The development is the first of three extra-care housing schemes being developed by Leazes Homes in partnership with Newcastle City Council and Your Homes Newcastle, with further developments to follow at Kilbourn House near Kenton and on the Fossway in the east of the city.
Lord Mayor and local Labour councillor George Pattison said: “I am delighted to have been asked to open Trevelyan Court as this really is a fantastic development.
“With a licensed restaurant, a small library and apartments with views of the Cheviot Hills, I am sure people will be queuing up to live here.
“It’s a great example of what high quality accommodation can be built when the council, developers and residents all work together and it’s brilliant to see it rise like a phoenix in the area I represent.”
Newcastle North MP Catherine McKinnell said: “It was an absolute pleasure to join Trevelyan Court residents at the opening of their fantastic new facility today.
“We’re all living longer and we all know this is going to present us with a number of challenges. However, I firmly believe that older people are a true asset to society who should be supported to enjoy a fulfilled, active and healthy retirement.
“The tailored support and facilities available at Trevelyan Court should help to do just that.”
Trevelyan Court forms part of Labour’s wider work with housing partners to increase the range of high-quality housing available to older residents and provide more opportunities for people to remain independent in their own homes.