In partnership with Hanover Housing Association, Springfield built the 30 apartment specialist care facility, specifically for the elderly, in just over a year. Named Linkwood View by local nursery children, staff from Hanover welcomed the first residents last month.

The facility offers 30 self-contained wheelchair accessible apartments, six of which are tailored to meet the needs of residents with dementia. There are additional apartments for the live-in staff and a communal hub for residents.

Springfield Properties group partnership director, Tom Leggeat, said: “The completion of the Linkwood View Apartments marks a milestone for us. This is one of our biggest specialist care projects to date. To be awarded Social Housing Development of the Year by Premier Guarantee is a fantastic achievement – and much deserved recognition for the people whose hard work has made Linkwood View a success.

“The flats have been designed to make life easier for the residents and give them a home to call their own. Kitchen units have been lowered, windows are longer and doorways are wider.

“We’ve worked closely with dementia care specialists to ensure six of the flats would be suitable for sufferers of the condition. The kitchen doors are fitted with glass panels reducing the frustration caused by the confusion of forgetting where things are kept, the switches and sockets are in a contrasting colour to the wall and there is a clear line of sight to each room.”

Tom added: “Externally, there is a feature wall along the edge of the building that has utilised the original stone from Linkwood Steadings just around the corner. The residents will be within walking distance of a local shop, coffee shop, doctor’s surgery, dentist, pharmacy and a key bus route.”

The winners of the Social Housing Development of the Year were announced at the Premier Guarantee awards last week in London.