27/01/2015
Lewisham Council has given its nod to Phoenix Community Housing’s plan to build extra elderly care flats in Beckenham Hill.
The Council gave planning permission last January 15 after several meetings.
Phoenix Community Housing is a non-profit resident-led housing association that owns as well as manages 6,000 plus homes. Founded in 2007, the association has gained prominence through its Community Gateway approach and was named by 24housing magazine as the top 3 landlord in the UK for 2014.
To carry out the proposed plan, the current structure at Hazelhurst Court will be demolished and two new structures will be erected in the area near Beckenham Hill station.
The new care flats will be able to accommodate an additional 122 individuals. There will be 58 single-bedroom and 2 double-bedroom elderly flats as well as communal areas and provisions for 6 wheelchair units. The planned Hazelhurst Court facility will also include a sizeable communal lounge, catering kitchen, dining area and other services for the residents.
Landscape and urban design experts Levitt Bernstein Associates, a London-based firm with previous experience designing social care facilities, will design the new facility’s scheme.
UK’s elderly population is on a surge and it is expected that 30% of UK’s inhabitants in 2030 will be composed of people aged 60 or above. Phoenix Community Housing said that given the current shortage for elderly housing in Lewisham, it is advisable to prepare for coming years and provide more homes built to accommodate the elderly’s needs.
Jim Ripley, Phoenix Community Housing’s CEO, told EastLondonLines last January 19 that the association is delighted with the opportunity to build their first residential development in the area. He said: “This new development at Hazelhurst Court will provide a good quality home to dozens of residents and they’ll have the comfort of knowing support is available if their needs change."
Mr Ripley also mentioned that the association is scouting for locations in south Lewisham and nearby areas to develop possible sites in the future.
