New ‘supported living’ complex for people with learning disabilities and autism planned for town

manchestereveningnews.co.uk:

A new ‘supported living’ complex for people with learning disabilities and autism is being planned for Heywood. The specialist facility, which would also cater for those with mental health issues, would replace a large detached house in Starkey Street, which is currently falling into disrepair.

Based close to Heywood Sports village, the proposed scheme would include 12 apartments and eight bungalows spread across two blocks. The applicant claims the scheme would provide ‘a real opportunity to enhance the site, [and] provide much needed assisted living housing and improve the appearance of the site’.

“The site is located in the centre of a residential and commercial area where there are local amenities, good access roads and transport links,” papers submitted to Rochdale council read. “This dictates the proposed site being suitable for a residential development and continues the site’s current planning use.”

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According to documents, the end user is likely to be Eden Futures - a firm which provides ‘high quality care for people with disabilities and support needs’. The company, which looks after more than 600 people across the midlands and the north of England, has helped identify the site to ensure the proposal meets the requirements of future residents.

The document goes on to set out the benefits the development would bring.“The siting and location of the accommodation is carefully selected to allow its occupants to have as much opportunity to experience normal day to day experiences as possible, which is vital to their wellbeing," it adds.

The care provided would vary ‘from critical to light care and everything in between’