People with learning difficulties will have the opportunity to enjoy independent living with 24-hour support in Solihull if a venture between a property development business and care group gets the go-ahead.

Upward Developments (West Midlands) has joined forces with Midway Care Group Ltd to submit plans to Solihull Council for eight self-contained training flats for people with learning disabilities at the site of the former Willows Vets Surgery in Tanworth Lane, Shirley.

If given the green light by planners, the development will offer residents the opportunity to live more independently, enjoy communal space to interact with one another, while also having the support of 24 hour high quality care and assistance.

Simon Griffiths, director of Walsall-based Upward Developments, said that the project was the first of a number of joint ventures with Midway Care proposed within the Midlands, meeting the demand for increased independent living for those with learning disabilities.

Simon said: "We are so excited to be working with Midway Care Group on such a valuable project. Not only will it see the veterinary building given a new lease of life, but with the proposed alterations, extension and refurbishment, it will provide adults with learning difficulties with their own home and personal space affording them the independence they aspire to.

"The site at Tanworth Lane is ideal for a facility of this kind, offering excellent transport links and easy access to a supermarket, enhancing our intention to bring a better quality of life to individuals.

"The proposed flats will make use of assisted technology to reduce the level of support needs and are very similar to a 'warden controlled' care facility," he said.

Matthew Harrison, of Midway Care Group Ltd, said: "There is an on-going need for this kind of development for adults with a learning disability to enable them to develop additional life skills with which will enable them to live more independently within their own community.

"Each person who may live at this service will have gone through a vigorous assessment process based upon their specific needs and requirements appropriate to this facility and its location.

"There will undoubtedly be some concerns from nearby residents and businesses about the vulnerability of the residents, so we will be quick to reassure everyone that there will be 24-hour-support at the home.

"Initially, none of the people living in the residential services would be able to leave the home unsupervised, because the level of their learning disability means that their understanding of risks such as road safety would make them vulnerable," he added.

"The people living within the development would be encouraged to access community amenities such as shops, leisure facilities and the GP's surgery as part of their daily lives but only with support from staff until their training is complete and the care team is satisfied that they are not at risk to do so alone."

David McDougall, managing director at Midway Care Group added that "Midway provides innovative support with individual responsive care packages, supporting adults with a learning disability and additional needs, through intensive personalized programs that aim to promote the residents personal, social and living skills, and most importantly develop their communication skills"

"As providers of specialist care services it is incumbent on us to establish, firstly care and then regional specific services. To this end we have entered into protracted consultations with Upward Developments to deliver high quality accommodation to match our high quality care service"

Nick Drury, managing director at Upward Developments, said: "There is no question that this kind of facility is vital for the development and improved quality of life for those with learning difficulties. As such, in conjunction with our joint venture partner Midway Care Group, we are on the lookout for similar properties that can be extended and refurbished to provide further accommodation for these people, with the overall objective of giving them a choice of where they can live."