We celebrated topping out at brand new extra care community, Spinnaker View

Alongside affordable homes-led placemaker Places for People Living Plus and partners; Gosport Borough Council, Hampshire County Council, and Morgan Sindall Group company, Lovell Later Living, we celebrated this significant milestone of reaching roof level with a traditional ‘topping out’ ceremony on Thursday 22 September 2022.

The ceremony showcased the new development at Spinnaker View in Gosport, Hampshire. With a community of 60 new homes available for affordable rent, Spinnaker View will bring much-needed extra care accommodation for people aged 55 and over and have onsite care services commissioned by Hampshire County Council.

A ceremony was held to mark the occasion and was attended by partners and stakeholders, including Mayor Jamie Hutchinson and other representatives from Gosport Borough Council and Hampshire County Council. Together they gave speeches and outlined the positive impact that the new community will have.

When complete in Spring 2023, Spinnaker View will help people to live independently in their own contemporary apartment. The development will offer one- and two-bedroom apartments – featuring a kitchen, appealing living space and a stylish modern bathroom with wet room.

Andy Lomas, Managing Director – Communities, at Places for People elaborated: “We are delighted to have reached this construction milestone – it is testament to the progress being made at this new community.

“Spinnaker View is the latest high-quality addition to our successful extra care partnership with Lovell Later Living – a collaboration that will see a total of 164 homes delivered by the end of next year. Each well-planned, well-designed community offers sustainable and safe homes for customers who wish to remain independent, while benefitting from care and support, when needed.”

Hampshire County Council’s Executive Member for Adult Services and Public Health, Councillor Liz Fairhurst, said: “I am delighted to see this brilliant Extra Care development in the heart of Gosport begin to take shape. Meeting the needs of our older residents is crucial and many will be searching for the right type of accommodation for their later years where they can continue living independently, but with the added reassurance that care and support is available 24/7.”

Councillor Sue Ballard, Chair of Gosport Housing at Gosport Borough Council, said: “Spinnaker View is a fantastic example of how Gosport Council can partner with providers to deliver on the housing that our residents need. These homes will help our elderly residents to continue to live independently for longer, providing space for our families to grow as we tackle overcrowding and housing shortages.”

The news comes after Places for People Living Plus and Lovell Later Living announced the formation of a strategic partnership in June 2022. Helping to strengthen the existing collaborative relationship which has successfully delivered two extra care communities, with work currently underway on two further communities to date.

This includes Burchester Court in Grimsby and the recently completed Nightingale Lodge in Romsey – each offering independent living apartments for people aged 55 or over who have care and support needs. Work is currently underway on another community at Wooldridge View in New Milton – also due for completion in 2023.

Paula Broadbent, Managing Director Lovell Later Living, commented: “We are proud to be delivering another development in Hampshire. Creating quality homes, promoting wellbeing and supporting people to age well, is central to what we do. Spinnaker View will play a vital role in supporting older people in Gosport, placing health & social care services right in the heart of the community.”

Clifford Kinch, Area Director at Morgan Sindall Construction, said: “We are delighted to reach this milestone and look forward to continuing our social value commitment and engaging with the community. People have been at the heart of this development from design through to construction and we’re proud to play a part in delivering high-quality, safe homes which will promote independent living for people aged 55 and over.”

Spinnaker View is set to complete in Spring 2023 with 60 new homes available for affordable rent.