Shrewsbury retirement scheme gets West Mids cash boost
A 63-bedroom housing development being built for over-55’s in Shropshire has been handed a £773,000 bump in local authority funding.
The four-story “extra-care” complex on Maxfield Drive, near Oteley Road in the south of the town, has been allocated the cash by the West Midlands Combined Authority, after planning permission for the scheme was granted by Shropshire Council in February.
The development of one and two-bedroomed flats is classed as 100% affordable, and will offer more support than sheltered housing but still allow residents to live on their own, developer Preferred Homes says.
The rent and service charge for the homes will be capped at 80% of the open market rent, with tenants being referred by the local authority.
West Midlands Mayor, Richard Parker, says funding specialist housing schemes such as Maxfield Drive is a “key priority” for the combined authority’s ten-year £1.7bn Social and Affordable Homes Programme, due to commence in April 2026.
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“Older people often tell me they could live independently for longer if they had a helping hand they could call on sometimes. But too many are denied this option because there are not enough affordable homes that meet their needs,” he said.
“That’s not acceptable – extra care homes should be available for all elderly people, not just those who are able to pay a premium.
“I’m focusing my housing funds on building more social and affordable homes for people of all ages, including schemes like this one that can give our older residents a better quality of life in their golden years.”
According to plans approved by the local authority earlier this year, the scheme will include a communal lounge and dining space, alongside a bistro restaurant which is planned to open to the wider community.
The updated proposals replaced an earlier scheme, approved in 2020, for an 80-bedroom care home on the site, which forms part of the South Shrewsbury Urban Extension area.
Stephen Sorrell, Social Partnership Director at Preferred Homes added: “The WMCA has long supported the work we’ve been doing at Preferred Homes, first with our scheme in Telford and now with Shrewsbury.
“We’re pleased to partner with local authorities who recognise the urgent need for specialist housing options for older people that not only meet needs for high-quality homes but also provide appropriate care to support independent living.
“This funding will help us to bring forward an affordable housing solution in an area of need and regenerate a site so that it can contribute to the wider community.”
