Work has begun on a £33 million scheme to build 130 new homes in Ainsdale in Southport.

The Riverside Group and Sefton Council have laid foundations for redeveloping a disused site off Sandbrook Road in Ainsdale to provide more affordable housing in the Borough.

Affordable housing

Having purchased the unused site from Sefton Council, Riverside will transform the area by developing 40 new affordable and energy efficient homes available for rent and shared ownership, alongside a 90 extra care apartment scheme.

Such schemes are often offered as an alternative to residential homes to support residents to remain independent in their own home, through providing 24/7 onsite care.

Also included in the plans is the creation of an 8-unit short-term accommodation assessment facility for individuals who are neurodiverse and may have a learning disability. The facility, which will be operated by Sefton Council, will give those with more complex needs and their families and carers time to develop a long-term housing and support plan.

Working together

The new centre has been designed by Riverside alongside the Sandbrook Co-production Group, who helped shape ideas through utilising their lived experience of autism and learning disabilities.

The group, set up by Sefton Council and People First Merseyside, meet frequently to discuss the various aspects of the centre such as internal furnishings, sensory room design and outdoor spaces, to best suit the needs of those who stay there.

Nick Jones, Director of Development & Growth at Riverside, said: “We’re pleased to be investing £33million into this development behind Sandbrook Road, which we feel will have something for everyone.

"At Riverside, we work to transform communities and create opportunities for our customers to thrive.

"We pride ourselves in being one of the country’s largest providers of housing and care services, and this scheme will enable us to provide an inclusive community that not only supports local people to step onto the property ladder through a choice of quality homes to buy or rent, but offers individuals options to continue living independently.

"We look forward to transforming this space and want to thank Sefton Council and Homes England for their support."

Support and independence

Cllr Trish Hardy, Sefton Council’s Cabinet Member for Communities and Housing said: “The redevelopment of the site at Sandbrook Road will create much-needed new affordable and supported housing in a diverse community that benefits local residents.

“Extra Care housing offers a supportive environment that promotes independence and security for people who need additional help, while the short-term accommodation will provide a lifeline for those facing transitional challenges.”

Cllr Paul Cummins, Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care added: “The short-term accommodation and the new Extra Care facilities will be a vital addition to social care in Sefton.

“The introduction of these facilities will provide residents with more choice and independence when it comes to their care and wellbeing as well as ensuring their care package best meets their requirements.

“The proposed short-term service has been designed in partnership with people who have lived experience of autism and learning disabilities and has been incredibly well thought-out. I have no doubt that when it opens, it will make an enormous difference to those who need that extra support.”

Deborah Butcher the Executive Director of Adult Social Care and Cheshire and Merseyside NHS Place Director said: “We are excited to be working with Riverside and all of our housing partners on our Extra Care Strategy.

“This is the start of the journey to deliver more housing with care options for our Sefton residents as an alternative to residential care in the borough.”

Riverside is delivering the development as part of its Strategic Partnership with Homes England, the Government’s housing and regeneration agency.

Work is due to begin soon, with the new homes and schemes set to be completed by 2026.

The Sandbrook Co-production Group meets on a regular basis, and anyone interested in attending can find out more on the Sefton Council website.