NEW homes easily adaptable for changing needs have been showcased by the Liverpool Housing Partnership to national accessible housing champions.
Representatives from Habinteg were invited to visit Regency Manor in West Derby by Liverpool City Council’s Cabinet Member for Inclusive and Accessible, Councillor Pam Thomas.
The development forms part of the Liverpool Housing Partnership, a collaboration between the City Council, private developer Redrow Homes and registered provider Liverpool Mutual Homes, which has been set up to provide 1,500 new homes over a five-year period.
All new homes built by Redrow under the Liverpool Housing Partnership, including homes at Regency Manor, are being constructed to Lifetime Homes standards, designed to look like any other home but easily adaptable to different stages of people’s lives.
Habinteg and their technical team Centre for Accessible Environments (CAE) champion and advise on delivery of accessible housing to ensure that new homes are more accessible and adaptable for disabled people.
The visit was arranged to showcase how the guidelines are being incorporated into homes being built under the Liverpool Housing Partnership.
Christina McGill, from Habinteg, said: “The Lifetime Homes Standard is great for any kind of household from young professionals to young families or older people. It’s great to see Liverpool City Council embracing the standard and private developers like Redrow delivering homes that are inclusive and will stand the test of time because they’re flexible and easily adaptable.”
Cllr Thomas, herself a wheelchair user, said: “Our Habinteg visitors were all excited to see how Lifetime Homes are being developed in Liverpool. The homes Redrow is building at Regency Manor are a prime example of how careful, considerate planning can make future adaptations easier to make as people’s needs change over time. For example, even the smallest room, the downstairs cloakroom has room to turn a wheelchair and it’s pre-plumbed so a shower can be added if required.”
Regency Manor is situated on the former site of Holly Lodge Girls School, which relocated to a brand new £7 million, purpose built premises in 2015.
For more on the partnership visit: www.liverpoolhousingpartnership.co.uk
