Work starts on new £3.5m specialist supported living scheme in Swadlincote

Work has officially kicked off in Swadlincote to bring new homes for local people living with disabilities as well as new jobs to the area.

Eighteen new apartments are being built at the site on Coppice Side in Swadlincote, which will be exclusively for people with physical disabilities and learning disabilities. Four of the apartments will be for people who require more complex care requirements. The £3.5m scheme, on Coppice Side, is being developed by specialist supported living developer HBV Group in partnership with care provider Real Life Options, registered provider of social housing Inclusion Housing and Derbyshire County Council.

The development is expected to be completed by the end of next year when tenants will begin the process of moving in after being referred by adult social care professionals at Derbyshire County Council. HBV has already delivered 50 developments in England and the scheme will help local disabled adults live more independently.

Work was officially launched with the ceremonial first sod of earth cut at the site by Malcolm Gee, the Chair of South Derbyshire District Council and David Sargent, Chief Executive of Real Life Options in a special ground breaking ceremony.

Malcolm Gee, the Chair of South Derbyshire District Council, said: “We’re delighted to see work begin at this site to bring new housing for local people with disabilities. Everyone in our community deserves the opportunity to live in dignity and receive the care they need. I’m looking forward to seeing progress at the site and would like to thank everyone who has been involved in the scheme including my colleagues at South Derbyshire District Council and the County Council as well as the developers and the care providers who will provide it onsite.”

David Sargent, Chief Executive of Real Life Options, who helped officially started works at the site, said: “We need to ensure that the most vulnerable people in our society are well supported in suitable accommodation and out in the local community. This development will put smiles on a lot of people’s faces when it is completed next year. We are proud to be delivering support at this scheme and we’re already recruiting for a Registered Locality Manager to join us in the coming months and oversee the recruitment of support staff for when the development is complete.”

Oliver Carroll, development director of HBV Group, said: “We are delighted to get work started at this special site in the heart of the community. We have had tremendous support from the planning team at South Derbyshire District Council as well as the commissioning team responsible for delivering specialist supported care. Everyone involved recognises the need for specialist supported living accommodation for the local community’s most vulnerable people. Many of the tenants living here will be having the keys to their own front door for the first time in their lives which will be a tremendous boost to their independence and a positive impact on their lives.”

Paul Atkins, of Inclusion Housing, added: “This development is a fantastic example of what can be achieved through innovative partnership. We are very proud to be part of this scheme in Swadlincote and the best bit is yet to come; welcoming the residents into their new home.”

HB Villages (HBV) was incorporated in 2011 in order to deliver a pipeline of new build supported living accommodation throughout the UK. It has developed a unique model of supported living that demonstrates an innovative and commercial approach, which can be replicated nationally.