Early onsite progress in the building of new Supported Independent Living accommodation in Horley town centre was recently marked by Surrey County Council.
Sinead Mooney, Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care was joined at the Council’s latest development for adults with learning disabilities and autistic people by representatives from the Surrey Coalition for Disabled People, contractors Neilcott Construction and architects Atkins Realis. The group were able to see for themselves just how much work has already been completed on the site which forms an important part of the Council’s plan for specialist accommodation in the county.
Supported Independent Living is the term used to describe purpose-built housing for working-age adults with additional needs, which enables them to live independently in their community rather than in a residential care home.
In Horley, homes for 16 residents are being constructed on the edge of the town centre. The site will include six self-contained one-bedroom flats, plus two townhouses. Each of the houses will feature five ensuite bedrooms alongside shared lounges and kitchens.
A similar development will shortly commence at another site in Byfleet as work on the County Council’s ‘Right Homes, Right Support’ strategy for adults who need specialist housing picks up speed.
The accessibility needs of the residents and any visiting care workers have been key considerations of the Horley design: both of the three-storey shared houses are suitable for wheelchair users while the two-storey flats are either wheelchair-ready or can be easily adapted and will feature technology to assist residents with their day to day lives.
Occupants of the carbon-friendly development will also have access to gardens specifically created to meet their needs that they can enjoy.
The intention is that people will stay in their homes for the medium to long term and be helped build their independence. Surrey residents with eligible care needs who are supported by the County Council for a learning disability or autism will be considered for tenancies.
Sinead Mooney, Surrey County Council Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care commented: “Here in Horley we’re providing homes for residents with additional needs that they can be proud of, while supporting them to live relatively independently.
“The progress already made by the developers is a tangible sign that we’re delivering on our ambition to help everyone in Surrey live their best life and we’re looking forward to welcoming the first tenants here by autumn next year.”
Natalie Bramhall, Cabinet Member for Property, Waste and Infrastructure added “We’re building modern, purpose-built accommodation close to local amenities that will give residents a place they can call their own. Thanks to our ambitious ‘Right Homes Right Support’ strategy, residents and their families can be safe in the knowledge that this development will meet their needs for years to come.”
Sylwia Squires, from the Surrey Coalition for Disabled People said: “People with learning disabilities and autism often face challenges in traditional residential care settings, such as sensory overload, limited independence or inflexible routines. Supported Living accommodation offers more tailored support by acknowledging individuals’ unique needs, providing greater independence while allowing people to develop essential life skills. We look forward to witnessing the transformative impact it will have on residents’ lives.“
Ciaran O’Leary, Operations Director for Neilcott Construction said: “We are very proud to be playing our part in delivery of this valuable project. We are an employee-owned business and projects like this which build facilities for communities are a key part of our corporate DNA. In the case of our work with Surrey they are made all the more meaningful by virtue of so many of our team calling the county home. The ground here is well and truly broken and despite the weather, excellent progress is being made. We can all look forward to handing over a facility next year that will greatly benefit the people of Horley and the wider county.”
For architects Atkins Realis, Technical Director Stephen Workman was keen to emphasise the wider design implications of the build: “We are delighted to be part of the team delivering these much-needed homes for the local community. A lot of hard work and dedication has been invested by everyone involved and it’s fantastic to see these buildings coming out of the ground. Our purpose is to create quality housing which enables occupants to thrive. These homes will provide a sense of belonging, as well as being safe places that allow the residents to be part of a sustainable, thriving community. We look forward to working with Surrey County Council to deliver many more homes for people in need of support.”
You can read more about the Horley Supported Independent Living development at: https://horleysil.communityuk.site/
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