The team recently celebrated the start of the development, alongside partners, with a traditional 'turf cutting' ceremony – which is held to mark the formal start of building works. Attendees included Councillors Liz Fairhurst and Fran Carpenter from Hampshire County Council, Councillors Jill Cleary and John Ward from New Forest District Council and Councillor Keith Craze as Mayor of New Milton Town Council.
Places for People Living Plus is working in partnership with Lovell Later Living, Hampshire County Council, New Forest District Council and Morgan Sindall Construction to develop this new community, which will deliver 50 one and two bedroom affordable-rent apartments by the end of 2023. Wooldridge View will offer its residents 24-hour on-site care commissioned by Hampshire County Council, including both planned and emergency care. In addition to the apartments, this community will offer residents a variety of health and wellbeing facilities.
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It has aptly been named after Ian Wooldridge, who was born in New Milton and was an award-winning sports journalist. Max Wooldridge, son of Ian said: "We particularly love the name 'Wooldridge View' as Dad once made a TV documentary series called 'The Wooldridge View' - so it's very apt. We're all very touched by the name and thank you again.” Members of the Wooldridge family also attended the turf cutting ceremony.
"The new community is being developed in the Fernhill area of New Milton and will bring much-needed extra care accommodation to people over 55 living in the area. Andy Lomas, Managing Director of Places for People Living Plus, commented: “We are thrilled to celebrate this addition to our successful extra care partnership – a collaboration that will see a total of 164 homes delivered by next year. At New Milton, as with all of our extra care communities, that means creating well-designed, sustainable, and safe homes for customers who wish to remain independent, while benefitting from care and support, when they need it."
Wooldridge View is the fourth development between Places for People Living Plus and development partner, Lovell Later Living, with two communities already completed and a third, Spinnaker View in Gosport due for completion in Spring 2023.
The apartments at Wooldridge View have been designed with modern living in mind – with one- and two-bedroom apartments on offer - each featuring a contemporary kitchen, appealing living space and stylish modern bathroom with walk in shower. Each light and airy home will feature a private patio or balcony area.
