A PACKED crowd joined the mayor and fellow councillors for the official opening of disability-friendly flats on Friday.

Councillor Mohammed Ayub cut the ribbon at Phoebe Cusden House, which will provide accommodation to several people living with disabilities.

People struggling with a range of conditions will now have alternative to care homes, while being able to maintain their independence in purpose-built flats.

The development is next to Cedar Court, the council’s extra care housing scheme, which opened on the former Avenue School site on Basingstoke Road in 2014.

Cllr Rachel Eden, lead member for Adult Social Care, said: “This is an exciting way in which, despite the budget challenges we face, we are supporting residents to live fulfilling lives.

“It really does offer the best of both worlds; privacy and independence combined with support and care.

“Not only does the supported living scheme offer residents more independence and an alternative to a care home, in the long term it will also generate savings for the council.”

The building includes a lift and is fully wheelchair accessible.

It has been designed to meet high standards of sustainability, through the use of under floor heating, biomass boilers and recycling and composting facilities.

The £2 million pound development is jointly funded by the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) and Reading Borough Council.

Lisa Clayton, area manager for the HCA, added: “It is great news that work is completed on this important project which delivers much needed housing for vulnerable adults.

“We know how important developments such as Phoebe Cusden House are in places like Reading, and that’s why we supported this development with investment to help make it happen.”

The housing project is named after the former mayor of Reading, Phoebe Cusden, who was appointed in 1946 and is best known for her work to promote friendship between the town and Düsseldorf after the Second World War.