Wateringbury Extra Care

Adams Integra have assisted Rapport Housing & Care, or RHC (an RP and a registered charity) redevelop a redundant care home site in the village of Wateringbury, near Maidstone, in Kent.

Despite being situated outside the village settlement area, AI consultants worked closely with RHC’s Planning consultant (PRP Planners) and architect, PRP, to obtain planning consent in the face of initial objections and misgivings from many local neighbours, by holding regular meetings with the local Parish Council and recommendations to Tonbridge & Malling Borough councillors and officers.

AI also helped RHC secure capital grant funding from Homes England (HCA) towards the Affordable Rent and OPSO apartments of this 51-flatted extra care scheme which boasts a landscaped communal garden, a residents' restaurant, assisted bathroom/spa and 24-hour staffing. The entire building and grounds are designed to be wheelchair accessible and the building meets BREEAM Very Good Energy Efficiency standards.

All residents must be over 55 years old and have a care/support need of at least 3.5 hours per week to qualify for the scheme. Residents can choose to have domiciliary care ('home help') support from RHC or from another provider of their choice, and care can be increased as required.

The scheme was started in October 2018 with completion due July 2020. This will be a 51-flatted development; 22 Affordable Rent units, 2 old persons' Shared Ownership units and 27 market sales.

All Affordable Rent tenants are being nominated by TMBC as the local housing authority in conjunction with Kent County Council Adult Social Care team and have an assured tenancy; all OPSO and market sale buyers will have a 125 year lease.

This scheme represents the first time RHC has developed market sale extra care flats; AI has assisted RHC with its marketing strategy, including the show flat.

The contractor is Jenner (chosen from RHC’s OJEU Framework AI helped to establish) and Employers' Agent is WT Partnership.

The below video of the project is provided care of Falcon Cranes.