DEMENTIA friendly homes, apartments designed for people with Autism and supported living units make up plans for an ambitious new housing development.

After extensive consultation with people living in the Swain House area, local group Inspired Neighbourhoods has submitted a planning application to build 62 homes on an area of land next to the Greenwood Community Centre.

A planning application for the development, on Wood Lane, has now been submitted to Bradford Council, and says the plans would provide “an exemplar care scheme providing a local resource for residents of Swain House and the community beyond.”

It further describes the plans as “a new sustainable development providing a model that it is integrated and relating to the community, as near to public transport links as possible and near local services and amenities.”

The Greenwood Centre itself is also being refurbished to become a health and community hub.

The housing plans include an autism care building made up of eight apartments, sixteen dementia friendly houses, 19 two bed supported living homes and 19 three bed supported living homes.

Changes are being made to how home support is provided in the Bradford district

The application says the scheme will allow people to live independently for much longer, with facilities such as accessible showers and space for wheelchairs - reducing pressure on care homes and other social care services.

The homes would be easily adaptable for any further needs

Inspired Neighbourhoods is a social business that described itself as being set up to “enable everyone in our community to be healthy, prosperous and happy.”

A community consultation into the plans ran from August 2017 to July 2019. In that time 1,200 people commented on what they would like to see on the site.

When asked what housing they would like to see on the site, 72 per cent said they wanted to see “supported housing for people with physical and mental challenges.”

On the supported living housing, the planning application says: “The facilities will provide a secure and comforting yet open and accessible living environment, offering a sense of belonging and independence at a time when support needs may be increasing.

“Flats are designed to enable residents to maintain their independence as much as possible. The combination of tailored physical design, flexible care arrangements and positive active culture are intended to combat social and physical isolation.”

On the homes for people with dementia, it adds: “Each home is designed to be friendly, comfortable, welcoming and engaging whilst retaining a domestic, homely feel, facilitating the goal of helping people to live longer, healthier, happier lives. Modern facilities are also available, including access for wheelchair users throughout the house, and hoists and lifts where appropriate to aid free movement around the home for all levels of ability.”

And the eight apartments for people with autism are described as providing “a safe but independent living environment.”

Overall there would be 91 parking spaces on the site, and there would be communal green spaces, a vegetable and cycle facilities.

A decision on the application is expected in December.