New purpose-built housing has been given the go-ahead at three sites in Surrey to support people with learning disabilities or autism, so they are able to lead active and fulfilling lives in the community.
Surrey County Council Conservatives are delivering these three new supported independent living developments, backed by an investment of £24 million, in Horley, Byfleet and Cobham. Between them, these sites will provide housing for up to 44 residents, who will be supported to gain independence and daily living skills.
Planning permission from the respective borough councils has been granted, and Morgan Sindall Construction has been appointed to build them. Construction is expected to commence early next year and they are expected to be ready for tenants to move in by 2025.
The Conservative administration are aiming to reduce reliance on traditional residential care for residents with learning disabilities or autism, or both. Other locations for supported independent living accommodation are currently being considered. In addition to identifying potential sites on Council owned land, the Council is working with independent care providers to further boost available specialist housing.
Commenting, Cllr Mark Nuti, SCC Cabinet Member for Adults and Health, said:
“With a building contractor and planning approvals now secured, we’ve reached a significant milestone on our way to developing the first three of our planned new housing schemes for people with support needs so they can enjoy a better quality of life.
“With support from trained staff, residents will be able to take control, make choices in their everyday lives, access more opportunities and play an active part in their communities, whether through volunteering, paid work or other activity of their choosing.”
Guy Hannell, Area Director for Morgan Sindall Construction in the Southern Home Counties, said:
“We’re looking forward to continuing our collaborative relationship with Surrey County Council by delivering this batch of three supported independent living developments. Having recently completed several education projects alongside the county council, I know we share a strong commitment to sustainability and achieving high-quality environments that enhance local communities. This is illustrated by the use of our digital carbon assessment tool Carbonica, which allows us to carefully analyse a project’s carbon emissions and ensure that we’re creating an efficient building design that will provide accessible, futureproof spaces.
“Not only will we be bringing our experience of delivering award-winning residential developments in the South East to this project, but the innovation and insights gained from creating these facilities will inform Surrey’s future programme of supported independent living housing.”
Each development will comprise self-contained one-bedroom apartments. At the two developments in Horley and Byfleet there will be an option available for those who would prefer a group living environment, with five-bedroom shared houses. Tenants, and where appropriate, their families, will be able to make choices about their living arrangements.
The accommodation is part of a wider Conservative programme to enable older people and others with care and support needs to live independently in the community knowing that care is close at hand. It includes:
- Extra care housing – plans for 725 new homes across a number of Surrey sites which will give older people the freedom and independence of their own front door and the reassurance that care is on hand if they need it
- New short breaks accommodation – two new purpose-built short breaks centres to give adults with learning disabilities or autism, or both, a change from their daily routine and their families a break from their caring roles
- Mental health needs – new supported independent living accommodation for people with mental health needs which for some would be a permanent base and for others a shorter stay, to avoid a hospital admission or until they recover
