Published: Wednesday, 12th August, 2009 5:00pm

Houses and care home of elderly planned for old school site

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SELLING a former school site for housing could generate up to £4.5million and help fund a new-style care home for the elderly.

Reading council is looking for permission for 69 flats and houses plus 41 sheltered apartments on the old Avenue School site in Whitley. Council spokesman Chris Branagan said the development would be designed along the principles of "Extra Care Housing", a council strategy aiming to help people to live independently for as long as possible.

He said: "Extra Care Housing offers residents the security and privacy of owning or renting their own flat, with the peace of mind that goes with having 24-hour care and support on site. It also offers opportunities for social activities and on-site facilities for pursuing hobbies and fitness activities. The council intends to dispose of the proposed private residential land on the open market and to work with partner organisations to deliver the Extra Care Housing."

The Avenue moved to its new building in The Meadway, Tilehurst, in September from the site between Northumberland Avenue and Basingstoke Road. In April, a report agreed by the council's cabinet estimated selling the residential area of the site would generate £3.5 to 4.5million and that the new home would save the council's community care budget £82,000 each year. It hopes to have planning permission by November to open the homes in 2011.

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