Stoke Extra Care Schemes Recognised by LABC and Housing Design Awards

Two of the extra care schemes that Artelia has been providing Independent Certifier services for in Stoke-on-Trent have won awards at the 2017 LABC Building Excellence Awards.

Willow Barns in Blurton was awarded Best Social or Affordable New Housing Development and a dual finalist in the Best High Volume New Housing Development and Best Public Service Building categories.

Opened in 2016, the scheme comprises 45 two-bed and 30 one-bed apartments across three, three-storey blocks and a raft of communal facilities, including a lounge, hobby and craft room, village hall, library, beauty salon, launderette and fitness suite. The development also took the top prize in the Housing our Ageing Population: Panel for Innovation (HAPPI) category at the Housing Design Awards.

Oak Priory in Abbey Hulton was a finalist in three categories: Best Inclusive Building, Best High Volume New Housing Development and Best Social or Affordable New Housing Development. Comprising 126 two-bed and 49 one-bed apartments, the development boasts the same facilities as Willow Barns plus a sun terrace, orangery and a Reminiscence Room that mimics the interior of an old-style train.

The developments are for people aged 55+ and form part of a circa £100m project by Stoke-on-Trent City Council and Sapphire a consortium comprising Your Housing, Kajima Partnerships and contractors Eric Wright Group and Seddons who have built, financed and will now operate the 390 apartments through a 25-year partnership.