Tees firms lead the way in 'futureproof' housing
SMART Tees builders leading the way in “futureproof” housing have acted ahead of new Government plans to ensure that Britain’s housing stock is suitable for an ageing population.
Under plans revealed today, every new home would feature staircases big enough for stairlifts and wider doorways to accommodate wheelchairs, among other adaptations.
As revealed by the Evening Gazette on February 8, local builders are already creating homes that are specially adapted to include kitchen units that can be lowered or raised, level access showers, wiring for the fitting of warden alarms and strengthened ceiling joists to allow lifts and hoists to be fitted later.
Regeneration specialist Frank Haslam Milan (North East) Ltd has built “extra care” developments on behalf of Tees Valley Housing at Eston and Trinity Court in Middlesbrough.
Richard Bass, managing director of North-east builder Haslam Homes, said housebuilders now incorporated demand for adaptable homes into their long-term strategic planning.
Housing Minister Caroline Flint’s new strategy, designed to avoid costly adaptations to homes in the future was described by officials as “the first of its kind in the world”. It follows rapid growth in the number of older households, which is expected to continue over the next two decades.
Current homes will also be addressed by the action plan, with the creation of a new £33m rapid repair and adaptations service to help elderly people.
