A ‘reserved matters’ application has been submitted by Caerphilly County Borough Council for an innovative new later living scheme on the site of the former Ty Darran care home, Risca.

Outline planning has already been granted for the development and work begun to prepare the site. When completed, the new development will be used to relocate existing Council customers (contract holders) from sheltered housing schemes in the locality that have been programmed for closure.

Future residents of the scheme have been consulted on plans for the new scheme and, as a result, certain aspects of the design have varied slightly, and are now included in the reserved matters application.

Cllr Shayne Cook, the Council’s Cabinet Member for Housing, said “The views of future residents are key to the new development and the reserved matters application enables us to refine designs in line with their priorities.

“The new later living scheme will be unlike anything in the Council’s current sheltered housing provision and will set the bar for future Caerphilly Homes’ developments. Its design combines innovation with the needs of residents, with the highest levels of energy efficiency to reduce carbon emissions and keep fuel costs to a minimum. The design also incorporates a wide range of indoor and outdoor communal spaces, to improve the health and wellbeing of residents and facilitate interaction with the wider community.”