A BRAND new multi-million pound affordable housing scheme for older people has officially opened in Wootton Bassett.

First opening last year, Dairy View is a £5.8million project and has been designed by Housing & Care 21 in partnership with Wiltshire Council.

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 one and two-bedroom apartments for rent, with support and care services on site.

The development was built by Bouygues UK 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: “These extra care apartments allow older people to maintain their independence, socialise with others and be part of a community and have access to flexible care facilities on site should they need them.”

The local authority has welcomed the new development and says it will provide a vital service for many elderly residents.

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

“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.”

Maggie Rae, Wiltshire Council corporate director, said: “This new scheme underlines our commitment to give older residents in Wiltshire the opportunity to live as independently as possible, with access to support when is needed and will provide a real sense of community for all the residents living there.”

As well as the residential space, Dairy View has 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 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 those 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, people 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.