First brick laid at £3.2m Hoole House retirement home in Chester

Feb 17 2010 by Laurie Stocks-Moore, Chester Chronicle

hoolehouse

A MULTI-million pound retirement home project is underway in Chester.

The £3.2 million regeneration of dilapidated Hoole House, Willow Crescent, Hoole will see the existing building torn down and replaced with a new, bigger property.

Chester and District Housing Trust are replacing the home because its ageing facilities do not meet new requirements and the last resident left the home in November.

The new development for over 55s will increase the number of affordable homes in the community. Its three storeys replace the present two and it is expected to be finished in January 2011.

The 22 bedsits will be replaced with 36 two-bed flats including 24 apartments for rent and 12 available on shared ownership schemes.

John Denny, CDHT chief executive, said: “This cutting edge scheme will exceed the needs of elderly residents in Cheshire, as part of a wider regeneration project which will deliver a further 135 homes this year.

“These developments will provide sustainable communities, enhancing the area with green space and landscaping, promoting better health and stimulating the economy and construction industry across Cheshire West.”

Cllr Bob Thompson, chair of the CDHT board, attended the first day of building work at Hoole House on Monday. He was joined by Winston Lea, CDHT resident and a member of the Supported Housing Group which looks at the way the trust delivers its services and Jonathan Seddon, managing director of contractors G & J Seddon Limited.

CDHT is planning similar overhauls of accomodation at Wain House in Saughall, Suffolk House on Francis Street and Kings Lea House, Great Boughton.