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A MAJOR new sheltered housing development is intended to replace almost 70 homes for elderly people in Malvern Link.

Festival Housing, in conjunction with the district and county councils as well as Worcestershire Primary Care Trust, has applied for £3.8 million from the Department of Health to build the 100 unit development.

It would sit on the current site of Brookside and Gloucester Close, which includes Alexander Gardens, and feature a gym, well-being room, spa-pool and restaurant available to the local community.

Cathy Spence, spokesperson for Festival, said: "This is a very positive move for Malvern.

"We do not envisage any changes to the number of staff, as we will still be caring for the same number of people."

The project has been timetabled for completion by September 2011, dependant on the outcome of the bid, and the current residents would have to be moved while work was carried out.

Festival Housing holds other sheltered housing units in Malvern including Storer Court, Williams Court and Geraldine Court, but Cathy stressed any decision as to where residents would temporarily move would be up to the individual.

Alexander Gardens currently houses 39 flats catering for "very sheltered" residents while Brookside and Gloucester includes another 30 flats for people with a general needs.

Festival define very sheltered as requiring a housing support officer 24-hours-a-day as well as an emergency phone line situated in the flat.

Festival Housing has likened the project to the Rose Garden sheltered accommodation in Hereford jointly operated by Festival-owned Elgar Housing Association.

Cathy said: "We've had a huge waiting list of people wanting to move in. It's very popular."

The project is part of the Extra Care Housing Scheme and Worcestershire council plan to roll it across the county if it is successful in Malvern.

The outcome of the bid is expected to be known before the end of the summer.

1:00pm Friday 16th May 2008

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