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A dementia-friendly housing scheme costing the council £7.1 million has reopened in Ashford.
East Stour Court, replaces a former facility demolished in 2019 and has 29 homes for older people that are care ready.
It's part of Ashford Borough Council’s multi-million pound modernisation plan for its sheltered housing projects.
The new site is modelled on the Farrow Court independent living scheme in Stanhope Road, and the Danemore scheme, which was officially opened in Tenterden by HRH The Princess Royal early last year.
The facility opened last month and is already fully occupied.
It has a large communal lounge and kitchen, buggy store and cycle racks.
It has been designed to be dementia-friendly, taking into account colour schemes, light, corridor lengths, patterns and memory shelves.
There are also landscaped garden spaces with a potting shed and raised beds for residents to use, all connected with wheelchair-friendly paths.
The scheme has CCTV monitored both on and off site, a video door entry system and the council-controlled Lifeline system installed in every room.
In total, the building in Mabledon Avenue has cost about £7.1m and has been paid for through the council’s housing revenue account and grant funding from Homes England equal to £39,177 per apartment.
Cllr Paul Clokie, portfolio holder for housing, said: “We have a strong track record of taking an innovative approach to delivering quality accommodation that meets the needs of our residents.
"Our approach to the health and housing agenda is leading the way and gives people the chance to live independently, providing many cost, social and health benefits.
“Farrow Court was the first project in our proactive approach to sheltered scheme remodelling and it has set the bar high.
"Danemore followed and with the addition of East Stour Court we are making real progress in tackling the needs of an ageing population and helping to reduce social isolation.”
The next independent living scheme to be delivered will be Berry Place - formerly known as The Poplars - along Beaver Lane.
The project, costing £8.1m, will be made up of 31 units and is expected to be complete in January.
A planning application has also been submitted proposing 69 homes in Oakleigh House.
The investment is part of the council's new model of housing provision 'Dahlia' which stands for Desirable Affordable Housing Linking Independence (and) Age.
It hopes to accommodate for the borough's increasingly ageing population.
In just two years’ time it is expected that nearly a quarter of all residents in Ashford will be aged 65 or over.
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