Central Bedfordshire Council news and press releases

Short list of names announced at Houghton Regis ground-breaking event

Sunday, 11 March 2018

Your own space and a ready-made community. Freedom to be independent and access to care and support if you need it. A safe and secure place to live and links to the local community.

All this will be possible for the over 55s when the landmark independent living scheme in Houghton Regis is built. And yesterday (7 March), a ground-breaking event marked the start of works on the former Co-op site. Attended by representatives of the community, our officers and contractor Galliford Try Partnerships, the event highlighted the vision for the new development planned for the site.

Work is now underway on the new independent living scheme, that will provide 168 independent living apartments for over 55s, alongside a public restaurant, bar and café, shops and health and beauty treatment rooms.

The short list of names for the building, as suggested by the local community, was also announced at the event.

Speaking at the ground-breaking ceremony, Councillor Carole Hegley, Executive Member for Adults, Social Care and Housing Operations said: "These types of schemes are designed to be living, breathing parts of their communities, and that is my hope here. The ethos of the building is to provide residents with the right balance of privacy and support, to live and be independent.

"It's part of a bigger plan to make sure we have the right sort of housing available for older residents, most of whom want to live in their own homes for as long as possible. We want a choice of quality options for our older residents, so they don’t come to their later years feeling like they have to ‘accept’ accommodation because their home is no longer suitable for them. This will be a place to celebrate life and we’re thrilled that work is starting."

We're building the scheme with contractor Galliford Try. Initial works have started and the building will be constructed in two phases.

Councillor Eugene Ghent, Executive Member for Assets and Housing Delivery, added: "We’re committed to investing in Houghton Regis and this is part of what we want to achieve. It’s a key site in the heart of the town and an opportunity to develop a disused site to provide accommodation for the over 55s, as well as offering a wider community facility for the future."

Andy Reynolds, Regional Director, Galliford Try Partnerships, said: "As a partnerships-focused business we look to build and establish long-term relationships that deliver real value and change for our clients. I’m very pleased that we’ll be combining our expertise again with Central Bedfordshire Council in Houghton Regis to deliver an outstanding development."

A short list of names for the building, as suggested by the local community, was also announced at the event after it received more than 160 suggestions. In collaboration with community representatives, five have been shortlisted. They are:

  • All Saints View
  • Houghton Lea
  • Houghton Regis Central
  • Houghton View
  • Kings View

Councillor Hegley explained: "I have to say, we were so encouraged to read all the suggestions and reasons for putting them forward. There were some excellent ideas and a real groundswell of feeling about how this building would be an asset to the community of Houghton Regis. Please do vote on your favourite!"