The Stourbridge-based Western Region of Mansell has been awarded a contract to build a £13 million extra care scheme in Bedford. The St Bedes extra care scheme contract is for social housing landlord Orbit Heart of England, through the Orbit Homes contract framework agreement.
The scheme will involve the demolition of part of a former school, and the construction of a four-storey 104-bed extra care scheme, consisting of one and two bedroom apartments for affordable rent and shared ownership for the over-55s.
Two Victorian villas will be refurbished to high environmental standards and will provide offices and communal facilities including a restaurant, hairdressers and cinema which will help residents to live independent lives.
The St Bedes scheme will be built to the Code for Sustainable Homes, level 4, making use of renewable technology and water saving devices.
The development team has worked alongside ecologists to preserve the range of wildlife found on site, both in the construction phase and in the future. Bat boxes and nesting boxes will be added, to ensure the protection of flora and fauna native to the conservation area in which the facility is being built.
The contract is due for completion in February 2013.