Work Begins on £33 Million Extra-Care Housing Project in Ainsdale

Work is underway on a £33 million scheme in Ainsdale that will include 90 extra- care apartments that will giving residents independence and access to support when needed.

Scheduled for completion in 2026, the site will see the construction of 130 new homes on the currently empty Sandbrook Road site. In a significant boost for the Borough’s affordable housing market, 40 homes will be available for rent and shared ownership while the remainder will be extra-care properties.

Extra Care housing provides a supportive environment that promotes independence and security for people who need additional help. Some properties will be for short-term accommodation providing a lifeline for people facing transitional challenges in their lives.

Representatives from Sefton Council, housing association Riverside and Countryside Partnerships gathered last week to celebrate the start of work to make the site ready and safe for construction.

Also present were members of the Sandbrook Coproduction Group, which incudes individuals who have lived experience of autism and learning disabilities. The group has worked with Sefton Council and Riverside to design eight of the homes, which will form a short-term assessment unit at the Sandbrook Road development. This accommodation is designed to help residents who are neurodiverse and may have learning disabilities get their needs assessed and a plan set out for their future, all while having the chance to live independently.

Sandbrook Coproduction Group also designed a sensory room and garden to go alongside the unit, using their lived experience to create blueprints for the ideal short-term living space. They will continue assessing the unit alongside the Council to monitor its progress and highlight any areas for potential growth.

Cllr Marion Atkinson, Leader of Sefton Council said:

“I am thrilled to see work begin on the site at Sandbrook Road. Turning a disused site into one which offers a range of housing options, including much-needed affordable housing, will be a huge benefit to the people who will live and stay here, as well as the local community.

“We have worked closely with Riverside and Countryside, as well as Sefton residents, to identify the needs of our community and ensure that the plans for this site offer the maximum amount of support and choice for everyone.”

Cllr Paul Cummins, Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care added: 
“The short-term accommodation and the new Extra Care facilities will be a vital addition to social care in Sefton.

“The introduction of these facilities will provide residents with more choice and independence when it comes to their care and wellbeing as well as ensuring their care package best meets their requirements.

“The proposed short-term service has been designed in partnership with people who have lived experience of autism and learning disabilities and has been incredibly well thought-out. I have no doubt that when it opens, it will make an enormous difference to those who need that extra support.”

Riverside is delivering the development as part of its Strategic Partnership with Homes England, the Government’s housing and regeneration agency.

Nick Jones, Director of Development & Growth at Riverside Housing, which purchased the unused site from Sefton Council, said: 
“We’re pleased to be investing £33 million into this development behind Sandbrook Road, which will have something for everyone.

"At Riverside, we pride ourselves in being one of the UK’s largest providers of housing and care services, and this scheme will enable us to deliver an inclusive community that not only supports local people to step onto the property ladder through a choice of quality homes but offers individuals options to continue living independently.

"It’s great to be progressing on our ambitions to transform this brownfield site through the delivery of affordable, energy efficient housing and want to thank Sefton Council and Homes England for their support."

The Sandbrook Co-production Group meets on a regular basis. Anyone interested in finding out more about the Short Term Assessment Unit’s development or attending the group can find out more at www.sefton.gov.uk/stau