New Developement on Summer Bank Rd

New Development at Summerbank Road.

A planning application for a new development on land in Summerbank Road is likely to be made in September 2011

The proposed development in Summerbank Road is one of nine new developments, jointly funded by the Department of Health, Staffordshire County Council, Stoke City Council, NHS North Staffordshire and South Staffordshire PCT to provide new housing for people with Learning Disabilities in the Stoke and Staffordshire regions.

The individuals to be re-housed are currently in community based accommodation, having a high degree of Learning Disability, and in some cases have additional physical and sensory impairments.

The Summerbank Road site is one of these sites for new developments in Stoke on Trent and was chosen following consultation with carers and relatives to ensure satisfactory amenity, convenience and access for all parties.

This development has been designed to meet the needs of five such individuals. The development provides 5 ground floor residential units along with a communal lounge, with staff accommodation being located on the first floor. The building will be set in landscaped gardens with sufficient parking to meet staff and visitor needs. The perimeter to the site will provide a safe and secure boundary for the residents and landscaping, to be agreed with the Planners at the Council, to provide a safe and attractive view for all.

Although the scheme is intended to promote increased independence, the residents will still need to receive a high level of care and support appropriate to their individual needs. As a result, the scheme will be staffed 24 hours a day and, due to the level of complex physical and learning disabilities of the client group, the residents will always be accompanied by staff when they are out in the wider community.

The development will be owned by Sanctuary Housing Association, a not for profit organisation, with the care being provided by Turning Point, a leading health and social care organisation with over 20 years experience of working with people with learning disabilities.

A 25 year contract exists between Sanctuary Housing Association and the Funding Bodies for the provision of housing for the client group. Should one of the units become vacant in the future then the property would have to be re-let to another suitable individual.

We are aware of the local traffic and parking issues at the start and end of the school day. This scheme will add very little in terms of increased traffic generally and none at all during the current pinch times. There is adequate on site parking to meet the needs of visitors and staff and a cycle store facility is also available for staff.

The architect has designed the scheme to minimise the straight edge, institutional style appearance that could result from a single storey development of this nature. The internal design of the building, both individual flats and common areas are designed specifically to address the needs of residents and users with limited mobility.

To ensure the privacy of residents, the entrance to the scheme is located in such a way as to minimise overlooking from passers by. The continuous boundary wall treatment will provide a secure enclosure to the private areas used by residents. The parking areas are visible from circulation routes within the development, providing a reasonable level of surveillance. This will be supplemented by CCTV and security lighting as appropriate following consultation with the local police.

We are aware that developments of this nature cause concern in the neighbourhood and we will make ourselves available to answer any queries or concerns that you may have.

Yvonne Tucker
Senior Development Officer. Sanctuary Housing Association
Yvonne.tucker@sanctuary-housing.co.uk
01952 621418