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Planning consent for Care Homes With a Difference

26.01.2006

PRP Architects Ltd, has received planning permission for a care home and sheltered housing in Wales that aims to set new standards in care for older people with dementia.

The development in Albion Street, Newport, will combine 40 self-contained flats for the over 60s with a 60-bed extra care home for the more physically frail. The design of both an extra care housing scheme and a 60-bed care home offers a valuable continuing care facility in the Newport area.

The flats will incorporate features that cater specifically for older people with dementia, such as a ‘wandering route’. This gives residents a clear circular pathway to follow through the building and gardens. It improves on some building designs in which wandering residents are brought up suddenly against a dead end, which can be unsettling for them.

Smart technology plays a key role in the scheme - a flexible monitoring system will alert staff if a resident has fallen or is showing unusual activity patterns, for example being up more often than normal in the night.

Mark Walker, of PRP Architects, said: “This project demonstrates how a focused approach to the architecture of a building can enhance the living environment for older people. We have created a ‘social heart’ to the scheme by grouping communal facilities – a shop, hairdresser and lounge – in and around the open plan entrance foyer which offers direct views through the communal lounge and dining room towards the courtyard gardens beyond. There is a sense of progressive privacy as you move through the building towards the residents’ individual flats.”

The £5 million development is being created by PRP Architects, along with developers Glamorgan and Gwent Housing Association, in partnership with Newport City Council and Leadbitter Construction.

Construction work on the extra care sheltered block is expected to begin on site early in 2006 with a planned finish date of early 2007.

Trevor Saunders, Care & Support Services Manager at Glamorgan & Gwent Housing Association, said: “These schemes will provide a much needed facility for the Newport area and enhance our partnership with Newport City Council in providing high quality, affordable housing for local residents. Glamorgan & Gwent already runs two extraCare schemes in the Newport area and is establishing itself as a centre of excellence in the provision of services for older people.”

Flats will be allocated on the basis of need and all extraCare residents will enjoy the security of an assured tenancy. Allocations will be a result of a joint assessment by Newport Social Services and Glamorgan & Gwent Housing Association, with input from the local health trust.