Park Street sheltered housing residents get taste of what’s to come

RESIDENTS due to move into St Albans’ first new sheltered housing scheme have visited a similar complex elsewhere in the county.

The state-of-the art Rosewood Court is being built in Park Street by North Herts Homes in partnership with the district council and will replace Eric Steele House which was closed earlier this year to make way for the work.

Residents were moved to other sheltered schemes, bungalows and flats to make way for the �4.5 million development which was designed in consultation with residents who requested facilities such as more communal areas, beauty treatment rooms and a computer suite.

They were taken to another similar scheme called Temple Court in Baldock where they enjoyed a tour and a presentation from architect Colin Smart.

Cllr David Poor, the district council’s portfolio holder for housing, said: “Rosewood Court is the first of a new generation of housing schemes offering a higher standard of living. It shows the council’s commitment to make sure residents in these new schemes have a big say in their design and furnishings.

“I will make sure that residents in our other sheltered schemes have the same opportunities to have a big say in the other new buildings and they will also be invited to visit Rosewood Court when it is completed.”

North Herts Homes chief executive, Kevin Thompson, said: “Our Rosewood Court scheme will have many similarities with Temple Court because we involve residents in our designs.

“We want to encourage independent living, and facilities such as health and beauty rooms, access to the internet and additional communal activity areas are important to older residents who are becoming much more active.”