Housing for the elderly

The opening of Worth Court in 1965

Worth Court, a block of modern flats for elderly people with central heating, a common room and television, was officially opened in 1965.

Digby Court, a residential home for 48 elderly people, was officially opened in Christopher’s Lane on Tuesday 18th May 1965 by Alderman Captain H M L Fane, chairman of Kesteven County Council. At that time the staff consisted of a matron, six day and two night staff, five kitchen staff and a gardener.

Manning Road old people’s development: The foundation stone was laid on Wednesday 8th August 1984 by Councillor John Wright, chairman of South Kesteven District Council’s housing committee. He said: “The greatest need in our housing field in making provision for the elderly which currently comprise almost 14% of the population and more than 5,000 of them are over 70 years of age. The considerable benefits from modern medicine and improved housing conditions have resulted in a healthier population than we have known before and so people are living longer and more useful lives.”

The site in Manning Road was previously part of the old Bourne to Sleaford railway line and was the fourth old people’s housing project in Bourne, along with Worth Court, Manor Court and Meadow Close. The main development consists of 26 two-people flats, all centrally heated and containing a bedroom, living room, kitchen, bathroom and store.

A| three-bedroom five-person house with a garden and garage has been provided for the warden. In addition to the main development, there are eight three-people bungalows, each with living room, two bedrooms, bathroom and internal and external stores. A warden call system is also installed in each dwelling and there are 18 car parking spaces.

The Austerby scheme costing £600,000 began in March 1985. This was the first of its kind in Lincolnshire, a housing complex that would allow old people living in large family homes move to low cost, easily manageable houses. The 30 two-bedroom houses all have central heating and are fitted with an inter-communications system and are warden controlled. Selling prices ranged from £18,750 to £19,995.

The land was provided by SKDC and building work was carried out by Stamford Construction. Housing manager Nigel Vernon said: “We are that there is a large elderly population in the town and they have a great housing need. Many old people are living in big family homes which are no longer manageable. We are doing here what a private contractor might have done except without the profit motive. Reservation fees have already been received most of the new homes.”

Manning Road sheltered housing, a modern complex for the elderly, was planned for Bourne in the summer of 2005, sited on 1.3 acres of land in Manning Road used as a depot by Johnson Brothers Limited who have been there since 1965 retailing and servicing a wide variety of farm machinery ranging from tractors to lawn mowers and employing 13 people.

The scheme has been devised by Retirement Security Limted who plan to clear the land and build a three-storey complex of 43 two-bedroom apartments with live-in care staff, a restaurant and formal gardens. The accommodation would be designed for older people, mainly over 75 who may be frail or suffering from long-term or limiting illness, to maintain their independence in a supported environment. Residents would be able to lease their apartments and an allocation would be set aside for council tenants.

A public meeting was called for Friday 22nd July 2005 to enable the developers explain their proposals on behalf of Very Sheltered Housing, the organisation which will manage the project and was passed by Bourne Town Council despite fears of traffic congestion in Manning Road and nearby streets but Bob Bessell, director of Retirement Security Limited, said: "These problems have been largely resolved. There are still access issues to resolve but we will see less heavy duty traffic visiting the site than was previously the case although I agree that a one-way system is needed."

Planning permission was subsequently granted by South Kesteven District Council in September and the developers forecast a completion date on Easter 2007.

REVISED OCTOBER 2005

See also     The Butterfield Hospital     New sheltered housing project