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£ 3.35m development providing sustainable , flexible housing to support independent living for people with learning disabilities is nearing the final stages of approval in County Durham .
The specialist supported housing development at Harelaw , Annfield Plain , which will be the first of its kind in the county , has been made possible through effective partnership working between Durham County Council , NHS County Durham Clinical Commissioning Group ( CCG ), North of England Commissioning Support , NHS England and housing provider Choice Support .
The council and the NHS bodies work together alongside other providers as the County Durham Care Partnership , through which they seek to deliver high quality , joined up health and social care services .
The new eco-friendly specialist development , which will feature air source heat pumps and green roofs in addition to other sustainable features , to help reduce the carbon footprint of the build , is being funded by an NHS England capital grant allocation in line with the delivery of The NHS Plan .
The plan set targets for reducing over reliance on in-patient provision and improving the development of homes for
£ 3.35m eco-friendly development nears final stages
people within their own communities – this includes preventing avoidable hospital admission by providing appropriate accommodation and support .
Cllr Paul Sexton , Durham County Council cabinet member for adult and health services , said : “ This new development will provide an opportunity for people to be supported in an appropriate home environment , where they can receive support to maximise their potential and remain as independent as possible through the use of assistive technology , skilled support staff and focused rehabilitation .”
The Harelaw development will consist of four properties as longer-term homes , and two step up / step down properties , allowing people to progress at their own pace and in response to their own needs . It is envisaged there will be an option for the step-down / step-up homes within the development to become permanent if successful .
The development will be for residents of County Durham , aged 18 years and over , who require 24-hour support and have a diagnosis of learning disability , autism or both .
Council to invest millions in frontline services
Plans to invest millions of pounds in frontline services , including highways , streets , parks and nature reserves , are to be discussed by Durham councillors along with proposals to reduce carbon emissions .
Members of Durham County Council agreed Durham County Council ’ s 2022- 23 budget proposals and Medium Term Financial Plan ( MTFP ) forecasts . It follows news of the Local Government settlement figures in December .
A report , which has already been discussed by the authority ’ s cabinet , details various investments to improve green spaces , country parks and help achieve the council ’ s target to reduce its carbon emissions .
Cllr Mark Wilkes , the council ’ s cabinet member for neighbourhoods and climate change , said : “ We ’ re pleased to be able to announce significant investment in our frontline services , which will help to improve the lives of our residents and visitors as well as the environment in County Durham . “ Funding will also further address
issues such as pest control , upgrading our allotment sites and improving visitor attractions such as Hardwick Park .
“ Just as importantly , we are investing in our efforts to tackle climate change as we work towards eliminating carbon emissions from our operations .”
The MTFP will see almost £ 16m spent on highway maintenance , with £ 8.8m being spent on the county ’ s unclassified roads network , and £ 4m is to be spent on improving the Morrison Busty Depot .
Other funding will include £ 500,000 for the decarbonisation of fleet vehicles , £ 1m on the council ’ s Climate Change Business and Community Loan Fund and £ 1.3m to enhance the visitor experience at Hardwick Park in Sedgefield .
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WHY INVESTMENT IN OUR GREEN ECONOMY IS SO VITAL
Taking into account developments such as IAMP , Riverside Sunderland and Trinity Rail , Road & Sea – as well as its skilled workforce and strategic coastal location – it ’ s no surprise that so many businesses are exploring the idea of north-shoring and turning their heads towards Sunderland .
We have five world-class universities on our doorstep , one of the UK ’ s largest advanced manufacturing clusters and a city centre undergoing one of the most ambitious and largest urban regeneration programmes in the country .
As we look to a cleaner , more sustainable future for the UK , green jobs will continue to play a key role in stimulating economic growth and we ’ re delighted with the work being done to ensure that Port of Sunderland and the wider city are best placed to capitalise on and drive this shift .
There has been a real concerted drive from both the private and public sectors to stimulate investment in the city and the port in particular in recent years , with a huge programme of infrastructure works to stimulate inward investment , and we are now starting to see this bear fruit .
So much so , that a recent report by the Social Market Foundation ranked Sunderland so highly .
The report ranks each UK city on its ability to capitalise on the nation ’ s shift to Net Zero , taking into account a number of factors , from workers with the skills required to fill the green jobs of the future to industry clusters and proximity to highly rated universities .
Its latest report listed Sunderland in second place , and as we look to the future , this continued investment into the green economy will be key to ensuring the region continues to compete on the global stage . Matthew Hunt Director , Port of Sunderland
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