Work starts on Dukinfield care home

New Charter Homes has selected Lovell to build a £3.6m extra-care housing development at Gorse Hall Road in Dukinfield, Greater Manchester.

There will be 31 homes, made up of one and two-bedroom self-contained flats. The scheme is replacing the existing Ravensfield housing scheme which Lovell has started to demolish.

Building work on the new development, designed by Altrincham-based architects Pozzoni, is scheduled to start in August.

In addition is a 2,500 sq ft communal wing with a lounge, bistro, a kitchen, staff offices, a hair salon and a well-being centre.

The curved building caters for the shape of the site and the slope of the hill. It also follows the path of the sun to ensure all apartments benefit from sunshine at some part of the day. A green, sedum roof is incorporated to the front of the communal area and the courtyard colonnade.

Tony Powell, executive director of New Charter Homes, said: "We are delighted to see the start of the scheme. We are creating a state-of-the-art extra care scheme for older people and the development is a key part of our joint plans with Tameside social services to provide a network of extra care housing in Tameside."

Nigel Yates, Lovell regional director, added: "We will continue to work closely with New Charter Homes and the local community as construction work goes ahead on the development."

The scheme is set to be completed in May 2011.