Industry News North West

Liverpool Footballer Gets £14.4m Extra Care Centre Underway

Steven Gerrard- Liverpool Football Steven Gerrard officially launched the start of the construction phase a new extra care complex for the over 55s in Huyton, Knowsley, Merseyside

Plans to develop a new extra care complex for the over 55s in Huyton, Knowsley, Merseyside, kicked off this month as Liverpool player and England captain, Steven Gerrard officially launched the start of the construction phase.

The £14.4m new-build project is being developed by Bullock in partnership with Knowsley Housing Trust, part of the First Ark Group, and Knowsley Council.

The development will provide 101 new one and two bedroom extra care apartments for over 55s needing additional support to live independently.  The scheme will also provide an additional 21 properties available to older people for shared ownership.

Returning to his roots to launch the build, Gerrard said:

“Huyton is where it all began for me and a lot of my family and friends live there so I am still there quite a bit. It’s great to see they are improving the area, and this will create many more jobs for people locally as well.”

The new centre will include a restaurant, hairdressers, activity and hobby rooms as well as external improvements such as pavement crossings and street lighting.

To help reduce energy bills for residents, the centre will also benefit from renewable energy through the use of combined heat and power boilers that capture and re-use the heat produced in day to day electricity usage.

Speaking about the development, Andy Saul, Managing Director at Bullock said: “Bluebell Park is a very important development for us as we continue to develop and grow our extra care portfolio.

“Throughout the 78 –week construction we will be working closely with the local community to implement a targeted recruitment strategy and neighbourhood investment programme.  This will include delivering vocational training to local schools and working in partnership with employment and training providers to create long term employment opportunities.”

To help with the cost of construction the project has also received a grant of £2.6 million from the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA).

With a successful portfolio of extra care developments in excess of £30million which include; The Limes, Newport Pagnell, Chestnut Grange, Burton on Trent and Briar Croft in Stratford upon Avon,  Bluebell Park adds to Bullock’s extra care experience as the company continues to strengthen and grow its position in the sector.

For more information about Bluebell Park please go to: www.bluebellparkapartments.co.uk.

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