Telford community celebrates new affordable homes for over 55s at Stirchley House

Members of the Telford community came together on Friday (12 September) to celebrate the opening of Stirchley House, a new £17m affordable extra care housing development on the site of the former Stirchley Leisure Centre.

Telford MP Shaun Davies and Mayor of Telford Councillor Eileen Callear alongside the Preferred Homes team at Stirchley House

Delivered by Preferred Homes, the modern new building features 72 new affordable apartments for people over 55 who have care needs, helping residents to live independently while easing pressures on local services in Telford. Alongside the 66 one-bedroom and six two-bedroom apartments, the scheme features community spaces, landscaped gardens and a bistro which is open to the public.

The event was attended by Telford MP, Shaun Davies, who spoke about how the new development will help local people who have housing and care needs.
Performances from the local Church of Pentecost Glory Temple choir were also enjoyed by attendees, including the Mayor of Telford as well as representatives from the West Midlands Combined Authority, Telford & Wrekin Council, Homes England and Preferred Homes’ development partners, Pinnacle Group and Radis Community Care.

Guests were invited on guided tours of the facilities, with the opportunity to hear directly from Stirchley House residents about the positive impact new homes and on-site care have had on their physical and mental wellbeing.

Alongside modern amenities and community spaces, apartments feature smart home and assistive technology, and are designed according to principles outlined by the Housing our Ageing Population Panel for Innovation (HAPPI).

Preferred Homes is working with Telford & Wrekin Council via a Nominations Agreement to ensure that apartments are filled based on the needs of the local community, supporting the procurement of care in a cost-efficient manner. Preferred Homes is an Investment Partner of Homes England, and is
also the first extra care housing development to benefit from the West Midlands Combined Authority’s brownfield regeneration fund.

Stirchley House marks Preferred Homes’ first development in the Midlands, and the registered provider has ambitions to scale up to 50 schemes across England over the coming years. By building affordable rented homes for older people who can’t access suitable housing from the private market, Preferred Homes is helping to ensure people can live well into their later years, regardless of their financial means.

With homes still remaining at Stirchley House, people over 55 who are interested in this type of accommodation and have a care need can find out more about their eligibility on Preferred Homes’ website: preferredhomes.co.uk/stirchley-site

Richard Parker, Mayor of the West Midlands, said: “Far too many people are waiting too long for a safe, secure place to call home, which is why building more affordable homes is a top priority for me.
“That’s why we are supporting developments like Stirchley House. It isn’t just regenerating a derelict site – it’s going to change lives for the better. This project will help more residents live independently, with dignity, and in homes that meet their needs for longer.
“It’s through strong partnerships, like we’ve seen here in Telford, that we can begin to tackle the region’s affordable housing crisis and build a better future for communities across the West Midlands.”

Stephen Sorrell, Social Partnership Director at Preferred Homes Ltd, said: “Opening Stirchley House, our first Midlands development, is an exciting step in Preferred Homes’ goal to create places that meet the needs of local communities. Stirchley House is the result of support from various partners and shows what can be achieved through an integrated approach to providing housing and care solutions for local residents.
“It’s been excellent to hear from Stirchley House residents today about how they are enjoying their new homes, and we look forward to being a part of this community for the long term.”

Councillor Richard Overton, Telford & Wrekin Council Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Highways, Housing & Enforcement, said: “Stirchley House is a fantastic example of how we can bring a disused site back into use in a way that truly changes lives. These modern, affordable homes are already giving older residents the chance to live independently, stay connected to their community and access the support they need. This development reflects our Local Plan commitment to creating homes that meet the needs of our residents, and it’s great to see the positive impact for local people from day one.”