Gary Ford, Site Manager for Jack Lunn (Construction) Ltd with Councillor Valerie Kendall as work starts on the Independent Living scheme in Horsforth.
Major work has now begun on a trailblazing new housing scheme for learning disabled people in Horsforth, Leeds.
The work at Church Lane, Horsforth, is part of the Independent Living Project (ILP), a £60 million scheme by Leeds City Council, to build new and better homes for people with learning disabilities and mental health needs throughout Leeds. They will be ready for occupation in summer 2009.
The specially designed block of four flats for learning disabled service users will help them take greater control of their lives. For many residents, this would be the first time that they would have had an apartment all of their own.
Currently more than 340 people with learning disability or mental health needs live in 13 hostels throughout the city. Through ILP, they will move to 73 new purpose-built properties on 39 sites around Leeds.
Councillor Valerie Kendall, Leeds City Council’s deputy executive board member for Adult Social Care said:
“I’m delighted to see major construction work finally starting on the Independent Living Project.
“The scheme promises to transform the lives of some of our most vulnerable people, and provide them with the best modern-day care.”
The Independent Living Project has been made possible through a 25 year housing Private Finance Initiative (PFI) between Leeds City Council and the Leeds Independent Living Accommodation Company (LiLAC) Consortium consisting M J Gleeson Plc, Progress Care Housing Association and Jack Lunn (Properties) Ltd.
Jack Lunn (Construction) Ltd has been appointed design and build contractor on the 39 sites. The scheme is scheduled for completion in June 2011.