Banbury extra care housing scheme impresses visiting councillors

Guests gathered at Stanbridge House, in Banbury, last week in order to mark the opening of Housing 21’s latest extra care housing facility.

Many residents have already settled into the £9.7m scheme that has been designed to suit an independent-style of living, while offering access to experienced carers who take a personalised approach to individual needs.

Alongside comfortable extra care accommodation, Stanbridge House is also the location of the Banbury Health and Wellbeing Centre, as well as a range of community facilities, including a shop, restaurant and a hair and beauty salon, enabling the care provider to pursue its goals of supporting an active lifestyle.

Banbury councillor and cabinet member, Kieran Mallon, was among those impressed by the development, saying: “This is a fantastic facility and a great new use for a much loved Banbury building that could have otherwise been demolished.

“The scheme is also a great example of how councils are working with partners like Housing 21 and district councils for the good of our local community.

“It is really impressive to see that so many things have been thought about and provided for residents.”

Oxfordshire County Council’s cabinet member for adult services, Arash Fatemian agreed and hopes to see more of the same in future: “The vast majority of people want to live independently for as long as possible, but to do this you need the support and facilities in place. Extra care facilities like this one mean that people can continue to have their own homes and take advantage of extra help when they need it.

“To achieve this we have a long-term aim to have more than 900 extra care places in Oxfordshire and the Standbridge project will take us a good way towards that goal.”

Debbie Pickford, Cherwell District Council’s lead member for Housing, also welcomed the scheme, commenting: “Cherwell District Council is a passionate supporter of extra care housing in the district and has taken a key lead role in driving forward extra care locally so that the housing needs of older people can be met.

“We have contributed to this scheme in many ways, including through the identification of the housing needs of older people, through the planning process and by nominating applicants from our housing register to move into the scheme.

“We are delighted that the new residents are already benefitting from this impressive new scheme and I wish them the very best in their new homes.”