Fairview Court

Wigton, Home Group Ltd.

Description of Scheme

This specialist housing scheme consists of 33 apartments for residents over 55 and adults with disabilities or sensory impairments. The nine remaining units are for adults with learning disabilities.

The units, are 'care ready', which means they provide an adaptable environment through the use of flexible design and telecare so care can be delivered when and where it's needed.

The site comprises both 1 and 2 bedroom apartments and includes ample on-site parking, social spaces, lift access and on-site care provision for those who need extra support.

An approach has been adopted that seeks to embody the character of the existing local built fabric, while interpreting it within the current design context. Although similar materials have been selected, these also respond to more contemporary concerns about security, maintenance and design. The development looks unique within the street scene, though not to the extent it is notably incongruous with the neighbouring buildings. The car park is accessed from South End but is embedded within the site away from the main street.

Wigton has a rich historic architectural language, as is evidenced through a large area of the town centre being given Conservation Area status. The proposed scheme is the largest residential building in the town. Given this though, its scale, at two storeys in height, is in keeping with its surroundings. The material language and approach to the design is rooted in its current design context while remaining in keeping with the prevailing architectural language.

Key ideas, which have been re-interpreted as part of the design, include the application of multiple render colours over a number of large sections of the building; painted contrasting window casements, applied to main bedroom windows; and double pitched grey slate/fibre cement tiled roofs. As well as providing further contrast and texture, areas of brown brickwork are being used to separate the different render colours and to highlight focal areas of the building, such as the main entrance. Double glazed windows and doors are framed in light/mid-grey uPVC, and glazed screens in aluminium. Studies of the local colour palette have informed the choice of material finishes.

Fairview Court also adheres to the Lifetime Homes (opens new window) standards, HAPPI principles as well as the Dementia Design developed by Stirling University. It is also qualified within the Code for Sustainable Homes at Level 3.

Cumbria County Council's Adult Social Care service in partnership with the health service, the district councils, voluntary organisations and Cumbria's community alarm providers, has developed a Telecare service. Apartments in the schemes will be able to use the Telecare service and the range of additional sensors will depend on the needs of the individual service users.

Where Is It?

• South End is very close to the centre of Wigton, which is a small market town and Civil parish just outside the Lake District in Cumbria.
• It is the bustling and thriving centre of the Solway Plain, situated between the Caldbeck Fells and the Solway coast.
• It is served by Wigton railway station and the A596 road to Workington and via the A595 road to Carlisle.
• The town has its own secondary school, which is a well-performing comprehensive with close links to the Innovia factory, Wigton's principal employer, in the centre of the town.
• The development is on the site of the former Huntingtons Garage in South End in the market town of Wigton in Cumbria.

Proximity

• The scheme is about 150 yards from the town centre.
• It is on an area of flat land which makes it easier for those with mobility issues to access local amenities and the facilities available in the town centre.
• Wigton Library is within walking distance.
• There is a Health Centre where local GPs are based, and a Pharmacy opposite the site.
• There is a corner shop and whole food store close to the scheme.
• Wigton is also roughly 10miles from the city of Carlisle which is the largest Settlement within Cumbria with a population of 100,734. Carlisle shopping centre offers all top retailers and the university of Cumbria.

Relevant Local Strategy

Cumbria has a Specialised Housing with Care and Support for Older People and Disabled Adults Strategy which has been developed in partnership with the District Councils, Housing Providers, Care and Support Providers and the County Council.

Adult Services working with the housing provider have established a tendering process to find one organisation which can provide support, domiciliary and personal care.

A number of Cumbria's current preferred providers have experienced of providing personalised services which enable them to meet the needs of different service user groups.

All service users will have a personalised budget and individual care plans.

As with the current extra care schemes in Cumbria there will be a negotiation between the housing and care providers to establish how they can provide a seamless service for the service users, avoid duplication and ensure respective roles were clear.

The Adult Social Work Teams in Cumbria have geographical catchment areas that reflect the District Council boundaries.

The teams of social workers, social care workers and occupational therapists within the District Council boundaries work in smaller patches and as a result the scheme will be linked to a specific group of social workers.

All the residents will be able to access other Cumbria services like day activities which will enable them to maintain their links into services they may currently use, or may choose to use in the future.

Care Services

An appointed the 24/7 care provider will deliver appropriate packages of care to meet the specific needs of the Fairview Court community. Tenants can be supported with maintaining their accommodation, personal and social development and increasing independence.

Fairview's on-site care is funded by Cumbria County Council Adult Social Care and is primarily for those who have been referred into the service, however private care packages are also available.

Nine of the 1 bed apartments are for clients with Learning Difficulties. All the other units are for persons in need of Housing with Care.

The service will have 24 hour support provided jointly by the care provider and Home group Housing management team.

Apartments in the schemes will be able to use the Telecare service and the range of additional sensors will depend on the needs of the individual service users.

Facilities

Internal:

• On the Ground Floor there are 2 x communal lounges (one for each client group)
• a quiet room
• kitchen
• offices
• sleep-over area
• buggy store
• visitor WC's.

External:

• 28 car parking spaces
• landscaped gardens
• 'secure' garden
• seating areas with pergola
• secure bicycle store.

Address

South End,
Wigton,
Cumbria,
CA7 9QD

Scheme Location Map