PLANNED extra care schemes for older people in Bentham and Ingleton could be shelved if Government cuts to housing benefit go ahead.

North Yorkshire County fears the cuts will impact on its flagship Extra Care programme, which provides housing for elderly and vulnerable people with support needs, and has raised its concerns with the Government.

It is also worried about the future of existing schemes, such as Limestone View in Settle.

As part of its county-wide Extra Care programme, the council plans to build schemes on part of the former Ingleton Middle School playing fields and at the former High Bentham Primary School. The 50-bed Limestone View at Lower Greenfoot in Settle opened in 2014.

In a letter to Communities Secretary Greg Clark MP, council leader Cllr Carl Les raises the unexpected consequences of changes to housing benefit and calls for those living in Extra Care accommodation to be exempt.

A further threat comes from a proposed one per cent reduction in annual rent, as part of the Welfare Reform and Work Bill.

“The impact will mean we are not able to progress new schemes and it will raise serious questions about the viability of existing schemes, as and when current residents move or die," said Cllr Les.

The council plans to build Extra Care housing in every major town in the county. It has built 19 schemes during the past ten years, including in Settle, and has potentially 30 more in the pipeline.

Cllr Les writes: “Our approach has been both to keep older and disabled people – including those with early stages of dementia – living independently through well-designed schemes, which offer social and private rental and owner-occupier choices.

“We are also expanding the other types of housing choices, which help younger adults who have long-term mental health issues, learning and physical disabilities. We view this approach as being essential to the prevention of ill-health and isolation, as well as making economic sense for the taxpayer."

Extra Care includes care and support, as well as communal facilities, such as a restaurant, hairdressers and guest suite. Some may also include a doctors surgery and library.

The council has been forming a framework of organisations, such as building developers and social housing providers, who design, fund, build, manage and operate the schemes on its behalf. Six new partners were appointed last September and the council is now urgently working with them to understand the potential impact of the housing benefit changes.