Disability housing project to provide 36 energy efficient homes in Harrogate

Disability Action Yorkshire, a disability housing and support charity, has partnered with South Yorkshire-based Highstone Housing Association to develop a £7.5m housing development to give 36 disabled people in Harrogate their own homes.

The new complex will replace the existing 20-bed facility and include a base for Disability Action Yorkshire support staff, who will be on site 24 hours a day.

Disability Action Yorkshire, which celebrates its 85th anniversary this year, provides a range of services to enable disabled adults to live a lifestyle full of independence, personal choice and opportunities, including residential care for younger adults with physical disabilities.

The first phase of the scheme will see the construction of 24 one and two-bed apartments on the grounds of the current home and on a neighbouring plot, which it purchased from Harrogate Borough Council.

Harrogate and Knaresborough MP Andrew Jones, and Coun Victoria Oldham, the Mayor of the Borough of Harrogate, will ‘break ground’ on land at Claro Road.

Phase two will start with the demolition of the existing care home, which will be replaced with a further block housing a further 12 one and two-bed flats, plus the hub for the DAY team.

Jackie Snape, Disability Action Yorkshire’s chief executive, said: “This will be a very significant occasion for the charity, on what will possibly be one of the most significant days in our 85-year history.

“I’m delighted that Andrew Jones and Councillor Oldham will be performing the ‘breaking ground’ ceremony.

“They will be joined by a number of Claro Road residents, who are eager to move into their own homes.

“We have designed the development sympathetically to the local surroundings, while also holding a strong character and sense of place for residents.

“The new homes are energy-efficient and are designed to provide tenants with homes for life to suit their wide ranging needs.”