Housing opens in Shifnal for over-55s

A £3.5 million housing development exclusively designed for people aged 55 and over has opened in Shifnal.

Yew Tree Court, in The Grove area, is built on the former bedsit complex of the same name but is larger and offers a state-of-the-art living space.

The South Staffordshire Housing Association development comprises of 30 two-bed apartments and three bungalows, all of which include a private kitchen, lounge, and bathroom.

There is also a communal residents' lounge for socialising.

The Homes and Communities Agency stumped up £1.3 million in grant funding towards the total cost of the complex which was built to provide housing for the region's rapidly growing ageing population, which is expected to have risen 72 per cent by 2020.

Rolf Levesley, of South Staffordshire Housing Association; Councillor Simon Jones, Shropshire Council's portfolio holder for adult services; and Councillor Roger Evans, the authority's member champion for affordable housing, all attended the official opening on Tuesday.

Mr Levesley said the complex offered a mix of private living space and communal areas specifically designed to combat the isolation which older people may feel.

He said Yew Tree Court also offered a range of care tailored to individual needs, a call system and a concierge service.