New bungalows offer better quality of life for Hereford residents with accessibility needs
Connexus has worked with Herefordshire Council and construction partner G P Thomas to complete work on eight bungalows and one three-bedroom property at Pine Grove and Chestnut Drive, in the heart of Hereford. The new homes replace eight bungalows, constructed from prefabricated concrete, that had sadly fallen into a state of disrepair and energy inefficiency. Two residents are returning to their new homes, joined by new tenants from the accessible homes register, with specific identified needs.
All eight bungalows have been designed with the specific needs of each tenant in mind. Herefordshire Council and their team of Occupational Therapists provided grants for specialist equipment that some tenants require. Nearing the completion of the construction phase, tenants were invited to their new homes to assist Occupational Therapists in the final decisions about where any grab rails and other accessibility aids could be placed. Besides having their accessibility needs met, tenants were invited to have input into decisions around the colours and finish of the new kitchens and flooring in kitchens and bathrooms.
Hilary Hall, Herefordshire Council’s Corporate Director, Community Wellbeing, said:
“Herefordshire Council has a list of people needing specialist homes because of their mobility difficulties. We work with developers to try to secure suitable homes for people on that list. Connexus offered us six suitable bungalows on this new development and worked with our teams throughout their construction to ensure they were suitable. We are pleased that six families will be able to live more independent lives thanks to the design and facilities built into their new homes.”
George Thomas, Managing Director at G.P. Thomas, added:
“We were delighted to work on this latest regeneration project with Connexus who are one of our key clients and with whom we have now delivered over 60 homes for local people in Herefordshire. Quality is of paramount importance to us as a family run business and we are very pleased with the outcome of this scheme which will provide much needed high specification and specialist accommodation for residents.”