Sunnyfield Lodge, Ripon

A better quality of life for older and disabled people

Scheme: 40-bed Extra Care home at Sunnyfield Lodge, Ripon, North Yorkshire/57 Extra Care apartments at Wycombe Road, Leicester, East Midlands.

Client: Hanover Housing Association

Partners: North Yorkshire County Council, Harrogate Borough Council, Housing Corporation, Department of Health/Leicester City Council, Housing Corporation Department of Health.

Description: In Ripon, Bramall built a mix of one and two bed apartments, which provided full disabled access for older residents. Special features included walk-in showers and specially-adapted kitchens with low-level cupboards for wheelchair users. Community facilities included a light and airy conservatory where residents can sit and enjoy views of the landscaped gardens, a laundry, hairdressing salon and lift access. A population of great crested newts was found on site at the start of the project - a joint action plan with English Nature and the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs was put in place to protect the species. In Leicester, Bramall built 57 Extra Care apartments, with full disabled access, on an unused allotment site. There were 43 one-bed and 14 two-bed flats - 12 in shared ownership. The tenancies of the new residents were maintained and they were provided with care and support services to ensure a better quality of life and more independence.

Value: £9.6million (total)

Completed: April and December 2007