Southampton’s largest housing-with-care scheme ‘tops out’
State-of-the-art building reaches highest point in construction
Celebrations have taken place as Potters Court, Southampton City Council’s state-of-the-art housing-with-care scheme currently under development in Wimpson Lane, Millbrook, reached the highest point in its construction this week.
A traditional ‘topping out’ ceremony was attended by Councillor Satvir Kaur, Cabinet Member for Housing and Culture, and Councillor Lorna Fielker, Cabinet Member for Adult Care.
Councillor Kaur and Councillor Fielker helped to place the last concreted upstand on the top floor of the 4-storey building alongside Leanne Smith, Director of New Business at construction firm Drew Smith, and Tina Dyer-Slade, Interim Service Lead, Capital Assets at Southampton City Council.
The £26 million Southampton City Council development will be the largest housing-with-care facility in the city when it welcomes its first residents in 2020.
Following the ceremony, the councillors were given a tour of the site and met with members of the project team who are working hard to deliver 99 purpose-built, affordable council homes, including 84 extra care apartments for qualified city residents with an assessed care need at Potters Court, plus 15 general needs flats for residents aged 50 and over at adjoining Kiln Court.
Among its features, Potters Court will benefit from a modern design, external landscaping and a communal courtyard, plus a range of energy-efficiency measures, including solar panels, LED lighting and electrical car charging points
Councillor Kaur said: “It’s wonderful to be able to celebrate the progress we’re making on site at Potters Court and thank everyone who has played a part in its development so far. The scheme is looking fantastic, and when it’s complete, it will help to fulfil our promise to build more council housing-with-care that are designed to build communities, enrich lives, and address the growing demand in this area.”
The scheme has already been commended by trade publication Inside Housing, which named Potters Court as one of the best older people’s housing developments in the country.
Councillor Fielker commented: “Potters Court will lead a move away from the institutional look typically associated with care homes, and instead boast contemporary fixtures and fittings that follow ‘dementia friendly’ guidelines. The scheme is designed to provide a safe and secure environment that meets current and future care and support needs as Southampton’s population ages.”
Leanne Smith added: “Drew Smith is delighted to be the construction partner of choice for this important Southampton City Council scheme, and we are really pleased with the progress on site. We are very much looking forward to welcoming residents to Potters Court; the housing-with-care element will make a significant contribution to the needs of this growing sector of our community.”
