Planning Success for Leeds Extra Care

Planning was secured last week for a new Extra Care scheme in Leeds.

Unanimously approved by Leeds City Council, the scheme is being developed in partnership with Lovell Later Living and Home Group and is part of a programme of investment in this type of Later Living accommodation across the city.

Designed to met the needs of older people and tackle issues such as isolation and loneliness, the scheme provides 62 apartments – a mix of one and two-bedrooms - shared spaces of lounges and dining areas as well as landscaped gardens. A café and hair salon will welcome non-resident use from the wider local community. There are generous staff facilities too with office spaces and lounge area.

Our team worked closely with stakeholders and the Local Authority throughout the design development, resolving specific site challenges to ensure minimum impact on existing residential properties and agreeing a strategy to retain significant mature trees on the site. The resulting design provides a contemporary building that will maximise extra care provision and safeguard the existing environment for adjacent properties.

Chris Binns, senior planner at Barton Willmore, explained: “This development – known as Windlesford Green – will help meet Leeds City Council’s ambition to provide 1,000 new extra care housing units across the city by 2028. This is part of a coordinated effort to address the needs of Leeds’ ageing population. This type of scheme is exactly what’s needed to provide a mix of independent living and care that’s cost effective and high quality, for people in later life.”