YoungDementia UK Homes receives a resolution for approval for their planning application from the West Oxfordshire District Council Uplands Planning Sub-Committee
YoungDementia UK Homes received a resolution to approve the planning application from the West Oxfordshire Uplands Planning Sub-Committee on the 2nd November 2015. This is subject to completion of a more detailed archaeological survey and further discussion with Oxfordshire County Council’s Highways Department.
There is still a lot of work to be done before we begin building our new facility but this is a significant step towards making our project a reality as part of the Rushy Bank Partnership.
The Rushy Bank site will provide 25, self-build, affordable homes for local people to include discounted home for sale as well as affordable homes. The YoungDementia UK Homes facility will provide 8 one-bedroom and 4 two-bedroom self-contained flats for people living with young onset dementia.
The development site is immediately west of the railway station giving direct access to Oxford and beyond. It also borders woodland, an industrial estate and nursery. The land, owned by the Cornbury Estate, was earmarked for employment use in a draft 2011 Local Plan. The site fits all the charity’s criteria, being within easy reach of the town and various amenities, such as shops and a GP surgery.
There are over 600 people in Oxfordshire with young onset dementia and over 150 of these require specialist residential support – a fifth of these live in West Oxfordshire. Currently, when people with young onset dementia are no longer able to live at home, there is little alternative but to move into a care home, which can be detrimental to their general wellbeing.
Applications for places from people with young onset dementia from Charlbury and West Oxfordshire will be prioritised, but people from further afield will also be considered, for example if they are looking to move closer to relatives in the area.
Homes’ facility will provide a ‘home from home’ for people with young onset dementia, where they will be supported to live as independently as possible. Residents will live in their own apartments, with round the clock supervision from a team of specialist staff. They will benefit from a programme of support ranging from help with personal care, to help to take part in sports and hobbies, as well as participate in activities and volunteering in the local community.
Home’s facility fits into the contours of the development site and faces the main block of residential units. The two storey design has been created by Oxford Architects in line with best practice in dementia-friendly environments. Natural light is maximised, and signage and interior design will enhance way-finding.