Vale and Charter team up on Bicester retirement ap
01.06.2006
The Vale Housing Association and Cherwell District Council officially opened a new affordable retirement scheme in Bicester, as well as 10 new affordable houses and flats for rent. The new development was grant-funded with £2m of council funds, and built by The Vale Housing Association - a founder member of the Sovereiegn Development Consortium.
The Willows retirement complex features an impressive number of new amenities and features including underfloor heating, a hairdressers’ and chiropodists’ room, carers’ rooms and storage areas for motorised buggies. The nearby houses, known as Vine Cottages, replace derelict Victorian cottages and have been rebuilt on exactly the same footprint as the original buildings, reusing materials such as bricks and chimney pots. Natural slate and clay tiles have been used on the roofs to complement other buildings in the area and many original features have been faithfully reproduced.
Ten residents will move into the scheme from nearby Bryan House, where their current landlord is Charter Community Housing. They have been consulted regarding the design of the new scheme including choosing carpets and the scheme name of The Willows. Charter Community Housing and The Vale Housing Association have also worked together to provide help with moving arrangements.
On Friday Councillor Rose Stratford, Vice Chair of Cherwell District Council, and Ray Morse, Vice Chair of The Vale Housing Association, will officially open the site by unveiling a plaque within the Willows scheme. A lunch will be attended by new residents, local councillors, staff involved in building the new development and nearby neighbours of the scheme.
Published 2 June 2006
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