Three organisations are working together in South Derbyshire to create a new and very special village for older people. South Derbyshire District Council, Derbyshire County Council and Trident Housing Association want to create a special village a caring environment where older people can live as happily and as independently as possible.

In one of the biggest developments in the town, plans are being drafted to create the Swadlincote Extra Care Village at a cost of over £20M. The possible development is planned for the site of the sheltered accommodation at Granville Court and Willoughby House which is owned by South Derbyshire District Council and the site of the former Oaklands Old People’s Home which belongs to Derbyshire County Council.

Derbyshire County Council would contribute to the village by building a new integral residential and community care centre costing around £7M, which would combine a range of services for older people under one roof.

New elderly people’s accommodation would be built by the Trident Housing Association which would be investing over £12M including nearly £2.5M from the Housing Corporation.

And following the meeting of its Housing and Community Services Committee on Thursday 16 October, 2008 South Derbyshire District Council would be contributing at no cost to the project the buildings and land at Granville Court and Willoughby House.

Derbyshire County Council agreed at its Cabinet meeting on Tuesday 14 October, 2008 to launch a three month consultation into the residential and community care proposal.

Says Cllr Heather Wheeler, Leader of South Derbyshire District Council, “If the plans go ahead, people living in Granville Court and Willoughby House would be asked to move to other sheltered accommodation so that the new village could be created. After the village has been built they might choose to stay in sheltered accommodation or they could decide to move back to a new home in the special village.

“By contributing the land in effect we will be replacing 27 rented out of date units with 43 attractive modern homes which will be available for older people from South Derbyshire who cannot afford to buy. There will also be 43 homes for part or full sale to older people in the village. We will have in South Derbyshire a visionary village close to the town centre for older people to enjoy their lives in comfort and care.”