New housing for the over 50s in community

Next month Orbit Homes is preparing to submit a formal planning application to Warwick District Council allowing it to build the £25 million independent living complex in Queensway at the rear of the Sikh temple.

Orbit’s partner in the scheme is the Coventry-based Deeley Group, whose spokesman, Pat Moroney, said: “We think this site is perfectly located for this type of development.”

The project, on the site of the former AL-KO Kober factory, has been empty for the past 12 years.

Earlier this week local people were invited to the temple, the Gurdwara Sahib, to get a preview the housing scheme aimed at the over 55s.

Lorraine Mansfield, Orbit’s business development manager, explained that the complex would include a restaurant, cafe, garden room, hairdressing salon and IT suite, many of which would also be available for use by the wider community.

Ms Mansfield said: “Our Independent Living with Care schemes are designed to help local people remain independent in their own home, providing a place where they can enjoy a real community spirit with like-minded people.

“We believe this will be a valuable addition to the area. Similar schemes have proved to be widely popular in other parts of the region.”

Mr Maroney added that for the past year the Deeley Group and Orbit’s Heart of England division have been holding “constructive” preliminary dealings with the district council while drawing up plans for what would be 179 one and two-bedroom apartments.

Members of the council’s Develolpment Review Forum appear to have broadly welcomed the proposals. If planning permission is granted, work is likely to start before the end of this year.

When complete the development would employ some 50 staff and both companies say they are confident it would offer a significant addition to the neighbourhood, not only in employment but for much-needed affordable local housing.