Work starts this month on a £6 million older people’s housing complex.

Housing 21, which was granted planning permission last week, is set to start work on the 51 apartments, restaurant and hairdressers at Ellar Carr Road, Thackley, this month.

Ward councillor Jeanette Sunderland said: “It’s fabulous, I’m right behind it. It’s a replacement for Thackley Grange and it’s a fabulous opportunity for local people.”

Coun Sunderland (Lib Dem) said Thackley Grange was outdated and couples who had been married for decades had to be split up if one needed to go there.

“With extra-care homes people can go and live together,” she said. “It got a lot of support from local residents and in the main people I’ve spoken to are pleased.

“Idle and Thackley have got more older people than anywhere else in the district and have a number of older people with dementia, so it’s right that the first extra-care homes are built in Thackley.”

Thirteen objections were lodged against the plans, including seven from the same house. Housing 21 said it had looked at the objections and amended its designs.

The scheme will offer extensive facilities, including residents’ lounges, a restaurant, hairdressing salon, guest suite, activity room and communal landscaped gardens.

Housing 21 said the £6.06 million development will help meet Bradford's increasing demand for suitable accommodation for older people.

The scheme is supported with funding from the Department of Health and the Homes and Communities Agency.

Victoria Barclay, regional operations director for Housing 21 North East, said: “We are very pleased to have been granted planning permission for this new extra-care development and look forward to working in partnership with Bradford City Council. This is a key development for the area, which will provide quality housing alongside appropriate care and support.”

The scheme will provide 39 two-bedroom apartments and 12 one-bedroom apartments, all of which will be available for affordable rent.