RISHI SUNAK VISITS  SPECIALIST HOUSING SCHEME

Richmond (Yorks) MP Rishi Sunak has given his seal of approval to a £2.3 million unique housing project which will support people with complex needs in North Yorkshire.

Mr Sunak visited homes being developed by Broadacres in Brough St Giles, near Catterick.

It comes as Broadacres takes part in Rural Housing Week (4^th to 8^th July), an annual campaign which enables housing associations to demonstrate the work they are doing in rural communities to make homes affordable for local people and deliver innovative housing solutions.

Mr Sunak was given a tour of the site by Broadacres Chief Executive Gail Teasdale. She explained how six two-bedroom bungalows will be let to people with complex needs, including autism and learning disabilities, with a further bungalow being used by the staff working there. The staff of Stokesley-based Positive Individual Proactive Support (PIPS) will provide 24-hour-a-day care and support to the residents.

Importantly, when it is completed early in 2023, it will enable people currently living outside North Yorkshire to return to the area, live in the community and be close to family and friends.

Gail said: “We are pleased to have been able to show Mr Sunak how we are working hard to deliver innovative schemes like this in our rural communities.

“When completed, it will provide high quality accommodation for people with complex needs in the heart of this thriving village community, with expert support on hand 24 hours a day.

“This is intended to be an exemplar scheme design that can be rolled out across the country so we’re excited to be leading the way with this project in Richmondshire.”

Mr Sunak said: “I am delighted that NHS England is providing the major part of the funding for this specialist development, meeting a particular housing need for those with complex needs.

“The build quality looks superb, and I am sure the residents will enjoy living here in a supportive community.”

The project is being supported by NHS England, which is providing a grant of £1.89 million towards the cost of the scheme, as well as Richmondshire District Council, North Yorkshire County Council and North Yorkshire Clinical Commissioning Group.

The sustainable homes, which are being built for Broadacres by its contactor Hartforth Homes, have been design and constructed with materials and technology which allows them to use little energy meaning an exceptionally low running cost to the resident.

The bespoke design means it has been possible to ‘design out’ the possible triggers for people with autism, so for example maintenance of services can be undertaken externally reducing the requirement for access into the home and because of the increased insulation, it reduces noises within the home from the external environment.