A £5.8million affordable housing scheme for older people has been launched in Royal Wootton Bassett at the site of an old dairy factory.

A tree-planting ceremony yesterday featuring members of the Royal British Legion marked the official launch of Dairy View, a new Housing & Care 21 extra care scheme.

The scheme in Cloatley Crescent, named because it is on the former St Ivel factory site which closed in 2003, is comprised of 48 self-contained and modern one and two-bedroom apartments for rent, with support and care services on site.

The development was built by Bouygues UK on behalf of Housing & Care 21, in partnership with Wiltshire Council, and received a Homes & Communities Agency grant of £820,000 as well as a local authority contribution of £300,000.

Kris Peach, director of extra care at Housing & Care 21, said: “We’re delighted to launch these 48 new much-needed affordable homes at Dairy View.

“These extra care apartments allow older people to maintain their independence, socialise with others and be part of a community and have access to care facilities on site should they need them.”

Keith Humphries, Wiltshire Council’s cabinet member for adult social care, said: “Dairy View will provide fantastic and welcoming accommodation alongside high-quality support and care services.

"This scheme is a wonderful example of what can be achieved through positive partnership working and I’m sure it will benefit residents in the local area and across Wiltshire for many years to come.”

Mikel Berrebi, Bouygues UK regional managing director, said: “Developments like Dairy View are essential to addressing the lack of suitable housing for the town’s older people; as well as the social isolation that some of the older residents in our communities face on a daily basis.

"We’re happy to be working with Housing & Care 21 and Wiltshire Council to increase the number of homes available for older people living in the area.”

A show home is now open at the scheme, which also offers communal facilities including a coffee bar serving hot food, hair salon, residents’ lounge and laundry room, as well as landscaped gardens.

It has been designed to meet the needs of all older people with each flat designed to full mobility standard.

All flats have level access showers and access from the bedroom directly to the bathroom which will allow for future hoists if required.

This means older people with very high care needs can continue to live independently at home with support when it is needed.

All of the apartments in Dairy View are available to rent. Anyone interested in applying should contact Wiltshire Council on 0300 4560 104.

To be eligible for an apartment, you will need to be over 55 and require housing-related support and/or have a social care need, as well as having a local connection to Wiltshire.