A DATE has finally been announced for the demolition of a Hampshire care home – five years after it shut its doors.

The decision to shut Nightingale Lodge care home, in Romsey, was announced in 2013, leading to protests outside the offices of Hampshire County Council.

In December last year, leader of the council, Roy Perry, announced that work would begin on knocking down Nightingale Lodge this year, and now a date has been set for May.

It means that for the council, work to provide a new care home facility, Extra Care, is on track for autumn 2019 as they appoint a new contractor.

The latest appointment follows scrutiny from Romsey's county councillor Mark Cooper over the length of time it has taken to demolish Nightingale Lodge.

Ashley House PLC has been announced as the county authority's new contractor.

Councillor Roy Perry said: "For older people who wish to remain independent, or feel isolated living alone, Extra-Care assisted living can be the perfect solution because it offers residents their own apartment but also the security and reassurance of 24 hour care on site.

"This superb new development in Romsey will help to provide much-needed capacity to meet the needs of the increasing older population in the area, especially for those who want accommodation to rent, as well as releasing family accommodation."

As previously reported, the total scheme, being undertaken by the county council, will provide 54 affordable rented extra-care assisted flats, communal gardens and courtyard areas and a separate space for a day service.

Paul Brand, head of development at Ashley House PLC, said: "We are very pleased to have been appointed to deliver this important Extra Care scheme on behalf of Hampshire County Council, and we look forward to working with our partners t move this scheme forward over the coming months."

The development consortium, led by Ashley House, included Places for people Living+, the housing association that will operate the housing functions of the development.

Debi Marriott-Lavery, managing director of Living+ said: "We welcome this opportunity to work with Hampshire County Council and Ashley House to provide high-quality accommodation and support services to older people in Romsey.

"Once the scheme is complete, it will enable residents to live safely and independently in their own homes, now and into the future."

The project comes as part of HCC's £45 million programme of investment in the development of Extra Care across Hampshire.

In December 2016, the scheme received a £1.62 million Affordable Housing Grant from Test Valley Borough Council.

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