Premier Construction

Cardan Pointe

Cardan Pointe
Written by Roma Publications

Cardan Pointe

Cardan Pointe

Announced as the West Midlands Development of the Year at the Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH) Awards, Cardan Pointe is a ÂŁ5.5 million wellbeing scheme on the newly regenerated Waterfront in Walsall.

A stunning canalside location that boasts 44 quality affordable one and two bedroom apartments for those aged 55 and over, the development is aimed at those who want to stay independent but may need some additional assistance, either now or in the future.

Funding for the development came from whg who invested more than ÂŁ4.4 million, and the Homes & Communities Agency (HCA), who added a further ÂŁ1 million to the wellbeing scheme.

whg is one of the West Midlands’ leading providers of high quality homes. Owning and managing around 20,000 properties across the Midlands, Cardan Pointe is their flagship wellbeing scheme. A further two purpose built wellbeing schemes are due for completion this year – Keelson Point in Leamore and Ellum Pointe in Brownhills.

“Both of the new schemes will offer over 60 new homes each, meaning all three sites will deliver a total of 172 homes,” commented Rebecca North, Project Manager at whg.

Designed by SP Faizey Architects and constructed by Jessup Brothers, Cardan Pointe was the last phase of a larger development of the whole Waterfront. The scheme is a result of a partnership with Walsall Council.

“whg undertook a large degree of assessment of the local area in regards to what housing for older persons was needed,” stated Rebecca. “There’s a particularly high need in the local area for various forms of supported housing but with particular emphasis on those that offer   more of a community ethos.

“We have a number of communal rooms that will help facilitate in bringing everyone together and avoid the isolation. It also allows us to find out whether there are any concerns that residents have and who may need assistance.”

Cardan Pointe offers a mix of health, social and leisure activities for customers if they want whilst the wellbeing service provides varying levels and types of support such as help to get out and about, advice on bills as well as access and signposting to other services.

“We were quite conscious not to make them care oriented so that people will feel that they’re at home. We have lifts to all levels, accessible showers and the building itself was designed in accordance with HAPPI (Housing our Ageing Population: Panel for Innovation Principles), which is best practice for the housing of older persons,” added Rebecca.

Cardan Pointe

“Every home is wheelchair accessible and is designed to a high specification with a stylish, contemporary feel. Each apartment has a balcony giving all homeowners access to outdoor space as well as plenty of storage.

“We try to build in a lot of storage into these properties so that residents feel they can take a lot of their possessions with them. We make sure there’s sufficient space that they can accommodate their own furniture so they don’t feel they have to downsize in that way.”

The feedback for the development has been positive and residents are delighted with their new homes.

“A lot of the feedback has been about people feeling less isolated, about moving into the property and what it allows them to do as well as the friendships they now have. It creates a new community for them within the building and the surrounding area.”

whg’s development programme has expanded over the last four years. From 2012, the leading Midlands housing provider had 60 homes on site. Now, there are currently more than 900.

 

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