A MAJOR new extra care housing scheme at the edge of Kendal was unveiled to the public yesterday.

Housing & Care 21, a registered social landlord, is proposing the development of 24 bungalows and 80 apartments at Oxenholme.

A public consultation meeting was held yesterday at Kendal Town Hall, when residents had an opportunity to make comments and ask questions about the plans.

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“We have had very little notice of this event,” said David Peters, chairman of Natland Parish Council.

“This is a very early consultation but if we had had more notice, more people would have come out today.

“Once the planning application is made, the parish council will be reviewing it in order to form a majority opinion.”

The proposals for the site off Burton Road are for 24 two-bedroom bungalows and 25 one-bedroom and 55 two-bedroom apartments.

Len Andrews, an architect with JDA Architects who designed the scheme, said: “We have established a need for this type of accommodation in the area. The local authority has informed us that this site is appropriate for local needs.

“This consultation is to allow the local community to voice their opinion before the planning application is submitted. Everybody who has come here so far have been quite supportive.”

Working in partnership with Cumbria County Council and South Lakeland District Council, Housing & Care 21 is seeking to create a modern extra care scheme for residents aged over 55.

The apartment block will also include a café, restaurant, communal lounge and hair salon.

In its publicity material, Housing and Care 21 said that extra care housing is a model that combines purpose-built and ergonomically designed housing for older people with on-site flexible care that adapts to residents’ changing needs. It offers a way of supporting residents to live independently for as long as possible.

Housing & Care 21 has more than 120 courts across the country and is committed to developing or acquiring 2,100 new extra care properties by 2021.

A planning application for the Oxenholme scheme is expected to be submitted by the end of June and if the proposals are given the go ahead building work will start in the Autumn.

“We will be taking in the feedback received today, and local residents can also be consulted in the planning process,” said Mr Andrews. “It doesn’t end tonight.”

Residents who were not able to attend the consultation meeting, or have further questions, are invited to contact Paul Crosland at Housing & Care 21, on 0370 192 4369.