Denne completes extra care housing development for Saxon Weald in East Sussex
(08/01/2010)

Extra care housing is aimed at those over 60 who are able to live safely in their own home but who need a certain amount of personal care or support, which is supplied by an on-site team. This enables people to retain their independence and make choices about the services they use, while giving them the peace of mind that help is close to hand. The services provided are flexible and can adapt to people’s changing needs.

Denne has completed its first extra care development for Saxon Weald since being appointed as an approved contractor on the social housing provider’s Framework Agreement. The development, Downlands Court, in Peacehaven, East Sussex, consists of 41 extra care flats - 21 one-bedroom and 20 two-bedroom— for affordable rent and shared ownership. These self-contained flats are complete with modern fitted kitchen and en suite, level-access shower room.

Graham Brown, Managing Director, Denne, said: "We are delighted to have handed over these high quality extra care apartments – which are, we hope, the first of many for Saxon Weald. As the largest Kent-based contractor, Denne has a proven track record in delivering first class accommodation such as this. We have developed extensive expertise in this sector and constantly strive to gain new knowledge and to fully understand the needs of our Clients, delivering schemes that maximise value, achieve certainty of delivery and exceed expectations."

The Downlands Court development is a prime example of how Denne works with local communities to ensure a successful development. The extra care homes are in the heart of a residential area and Denne has worked closely with the local community to ensure they experience as little disruption as possible. Staff attended weekly meetings with neighbours and local councillors to ensure a smooth working relationship during the entire 78 week programme, as well as monthly meetings with the local steering group to make sure that the final project fitted their needs entirely – even down to the plants in the garden!

Paul Newstead, Construction Manager, Denne, said: "It was a very interesting project to work on. We built up excellent relationships with the local community. We had a topping out ceremony during the project which was enjoyed by many guests and councillors. There used to be a school on the site many years ago, so we supplied drawings and plans of the new apartments for their annual reunion."

Denne is part of the Leadbitter Group.