Published: Thursday, 4th February, 2010 8:00am

Quality and security are key to the contract

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MODERN homes for people with learning difficulties and dementia will come a step closer this month.

Wokingham Borough Council's decision-making executive will consider awarding the contract to develop and manage new housing at Beeches Manor in Wokingham to Housing 21 at its meeting tonight (Thursday).

Subject to receiving planning permission, Housing 21 will build and run homes for 18 people with dementia and eight homes for people with learning difficulties on the site, as well as staff accommodation and two guest rooms.

Wokingham Borough Council executive member for social care Cllr Chris Edmunds said: "There is a need for good quality homes that will allow people with dementia and people with learning difficulties to live rewarding, independent lives in the Wokingham Borough.

"We would naturally expect and demand that Housing 21 provides the highest quality care, but we also want to focus on quality of life. Beeches Manor is close to Wokingham town centre and to all the attractions and opportunities that brings and will also be able to provide safe accommodation with secure gardens."

The apartments for people with dementia would be on the ground floor and would be built around two courtyards with communal lounges, kitchens and activity rooms. The apartments for people with learning difficulties will be on the first floor, where the guest rooms will also be located.

David Williams, head of dementia services for Housing 21, said: "This is a great opportunity and we are delighted that Wokingham Borough Council looks set to select us to work with them on this exciting project."