Community and partnership support enables new extra care development to be built in East Sussex

A £3.9 million, 25 bedroom, extracare development is to be built in Ticehurst after a unique partnership from GB Building Solutions, Court Royal Developments and Tridos Bank.

It has taken nearly 18 months of planning applications, but Court Royal finally obtained the permission needed and 18 care jobs will be created. The development was given the go ahead after persistence of the parish council, the local community and Gary Reeve-Wing of Court Royal.

Court Royal appointed GB Building Solutions as their chosen contractor partner early in the process due to their commitment to the local community and experience in constructing care developments - they have completed over £340 million of care scheme in the last six years.

The scheme has been funded by Tridos bank who only lend to, and invest in, organisations that benefit people and the environment. The extracare scheme at Ticehurst was a development they believed would make a real impact on the local community.

Martin Smout, chairman and chief executive of GB Building Solutions said: ‘Over the last six years we have built up an impressive track record of constructing care schemes across the country providing more than 2,400 beds. This new extracare development in East Sussex has brought about a unique partnership between contractor, developer and funder all working towards providing a scheme that will create a positive impact on the local community.’

Expected to be completed in spring 2013, the development will be set in attractive landscaped gardens with flats spacious enough to entertain guests. It will be located in the centre of the village so residents will be able to make used of the community facilities.

Gary Reeve-Wing, owner of Court Royal Developments, said: ‘In a difficult climate and at a time when care has been in the spotlight for all the wrong reasons it’s wonderful to have been able to have delivered this scheme to the residents of Ticehurst.

'Without their support and the strength of the partnership between ourselves, Triodos and GB it could never have taken place. It just shows what can be achieved when communities and partnerships work together.’

Triodos Bank’s social and cultural team manager, Neil Hewitt said: ‘At Triodos we firmly believe communities like Ticehurst can offer local solutions that provide benefits to the individual as well as contributing to the community as a whole. We are delighted to support Court Royal in this community based project that will ensure that residents can continue to live in and enjoy their local area.’