Pictured above: Dr Aran Bajaj cuts the first turf, watched
by Mansell's Simon Liversage, Jenny Crowther of Waterloo Housing,
and Tim Cuthbertson of Lenches Trust.
The Stourbridge-based Western Region of Mansell has started work
on a contract worth £8.3 million to build sheltered housing
for a Birmingham charity which can trace its roots back to
1525.
The contract is for 63 homes for the elderly for rent and shared
ownership in Ridgacre Road, Quinton, Birmingham. The development,
called William Lench Court, is due to open in 2011.
The project has been commissioned by Lench's Trust, a charity
which is dedicated to providing care and housing for older people
in Birmingham. Eventually the new retirement village will provide
97 apartments accommodating some 120 residents. Although the
residents will live independently, they will have access to 24 hour
care facilities as and when needed, plus comprehensive communal
facilities.
The start of work was marked with a turf-cutting ceremony by Dr
Arun Bajaj, chairman of the Institute of Asian Business.
Lench's Trust was established in the early 16th century when
Birmingham tanner William Lench left his wealth to 19 friends and
asked for it to be given to charity to help the poor and needy in
Birmingham. Since then the Trust has established almshouses and
sheltered housing on three sites across the city.
Simon Liversage, divisional manager of Mansell Partnership
Housing said the contract further reinforced Mansell's presence in
the specialist housing sector.
"We are delighted to have secured this contract for a
long-established and very worthwhile charity, to deliver their
vision of providing extra care to those in need" he said.