New supported living scheme is being built in Preston

New supported living scheme in Preston

RWP is committed to delivering high-quality supported living for tenants that exceeds industry standards by improving our existing homes and investing in new developments. RWP has invested in a new supported living scheme in Preston, Lancashire in partnership with Lancashire County Council.

The supported living scheme will be comprised of 14 self-contained apartments. Two of the ground floor units will be fully wheelchair accessible and include staff facility and communal spaces with a large, secure garden. The support staff on site will be able to provide 24/7 support to tenants.

We are happy to announce that work has started on the development and to mark this, RWP colleagues recently met together at the site with Lancashire County Council’s commissioner David Lovelady and Councillor Graham Gooch to mark this important milestone. The Development Team shared an insightful update on the development, and the event provided an opportunity for everyone involved to share their experiences and successes on the project to date.

Site visit to mark the start of work

Nicola Byrne, Head of Development at RWP, said: “It’s great to meet with our key stakeholders, design, and project team to show everybody around our new development here in Preston. It’s going to be 14 units of self-contained accommodation for people with a learning disability and autistic people. With support provided on-site and there will be two fully wheelchair accessible units available as well.”

Tour of the development site

Mike Boyle, Development Manager at RWP, headed up a tour of the site and shared progress made so far, along with insight into the design and projected timescales for completion.

“Brick work, internally and externally, is progressing really well. Hopefully, this good weather will last so we can get as much done as possible. Next stage will be the floors at first floor and then we can go up to roof level. 

“The development has been very well received by residents, and comments we have received have been positive. Already we are getting a lot of interest in its proposed use of supported living. We are getting emails from residents asking how they can use the property too, and we are directing them to the local authority which is handling nominations. Hopefully, all being well, we should be ready to hand over in June 2025.”

Watch Mike's and Nicola's video here:

Meeting the demand for accommodation

Daniel Griffiths, Development Director at RWP, says: “There is a huge demand in Lancashire for housing for people with needs and this helps to fulfil that. This is only our second new-build scheme for about six years and the first in Lancashire during that time. Obviously, on a new-build site we can accommodate more people, more apartments and therefore it just addresses the need a bit quicker. This is frankly important to help Lancashire meet the strategy around supported living accommodation.

“Eldon Street is brilliantly located. More importantly, it’s embedded in the community and that is the key really, it is a local community that is really well established and people that live here will become part of that community. We deliver supported living accommodation, so people can have a lifetime home and feel part of a community, and that is what we are doing here. The site was previously unused, unloved and it is now used and it has a community room within the property and can potentially be used by external agencies. Making sure that the people living here have got somewhere comfortable and safe to live and live their best lives.”

Lancashire County Council collaborates with RWP

“It is always a pleasure to work with housing associations and RWP. We have worked with them for a number of years and we work together very well. We are working with RWP, the borough councils, utilities and everyone else. That is how you get things done, by working together,” says Councillor Graham Gooch.

Social impact in Preston

“The added social dimension is that the people living at the new supported living scheme will be able to mix with the people living in the community. This development will add more vibrancy to the community that already exists. I think this supported living scheme will be a wonderful opportunity to live in a place like this, it gives tenants independent living, their own front door,” says Councillor Graham Gooch.

Watch Daniel's and Councillor Graham Gooch's video here: