(Left - right): Peter Holden of Edenfield Homes, the Mayor's Consort (Frank Redfern), Jacqui De-Rose, Progress Housing Group Chief Executive and the Mayor of South Ribble (Councillor Kath Beattie)

10 August 2007

Local VIPS attended a sod cutting ceremony on Wednesday 8th August to mark work starting on a housing development for elderly people by New Progress Housing Association.

The development will provide eight high quality bungalows for elderly people and will be built on a plot adjacent to The Greenacres in Hutton. The much-needed retirement accommodation will be available for affordable rent or for shared ownership.

New Progress Housing Association, a leading provider of affordable housing in the North West of England, is working with construction partner Edenfield Homes Ltd on the project. The Housing Corporation and South Ribble Borough Council are providing capital grant to part fund the development.

Each of the properties will be linked to New Progress Housing Association's Repairs Hotline and Telecare service. Telecare provides emergency assistance and a call out service 24 hours a day, 365 days of the year. It helps maintain independent living with assistive technology such as personal alarms, flood and fire detectors, fall detectors and automated lighting.

The decision to provide housing for rent and shared ownership on the site was based on local housing needs as identified by South Ribble Borough Council and New Progress who will work in partnership to ensure that priority is given to local applicants. The scheme is expected to be completed by 31st March 2008.

The sod cutting ceremony was attended by representatives of New Progress Housing Association, Progress Housing Group, South Ribble Borough Council, Hutton Parish Council, Lancashire County Council and Edenfield Homes.

Bernie Keenan, Managing Director of New Progress Housing Association, said: 'We are committed to providing high quality affordable housing and we are extremely pleased to be providing this much needed housing in Hutton. The provision of high quality accommodation that meet the needs of the elderly is key to ensuring sustainable communities.'

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