Plans for eco-homes for elderly go on show

The 10 homes for the over-60s are being built on the site of the former Rokeby House – which was at the centre of a lengthy legal battle between relatives of those living there and the local authority before finally closing a year ago.

The Homes and Communities Agency has approved a bid for £539,000 from the National Affordable Housing Programme for the £1.5m development by the Pickering and Ferens Homes housing association, which has joined forces with Hull Council.

If the plans are approved, work could start before the end of March on the homes, which will be for rent.

The dorma-bungalows are designed so people can have a bedroom upstairs or downstairs depending on their mobility and a second bedroom for someone to stay over if they fall ill, avoiding residential care or a long hospital stay.

The “lifetime” homes have wide doors and hallways which will accommodate wheelchairs, easy to reach switches and sockets and high efficiency boilers.

The director of Pickering and Ferens Homes, Roger Elliot, said: “We anticipate that the work will be undertaken by a local contractor which will help provide much-needed work in the area.

“The work will commence on site at the end of March and will be completed 12 months later. We anticipate a tremendous demand for the accommodation.

“We hope local residents will attend the events to give their views on the development.”

The public can either see the plans from 2.45pm to 5pm today in a Portakabin at Rokeby Park Primary School on Gershwin Avenue in Hull, or on Thursday this week between 4pm and 7pm in a classroom at the school accessed via the Sibelius Road car park entrance. More details are also available by contacting Pickering and Ferens Homes on 01482 223783.