Work to begin on £12.8m development in Heath Road, Thurston, after ground breaking ceremony

Work on a £12.8m Thurston housing development is set to start after its ground-breaking ceremony took place this week.

The Heath Road site, which will provide 54 affordable homes for people over the age of 55 in Suffolk, is developer Housing 21’s sixth Extra Care Scheme in the county so far.

The ceremony was attended by representatives from Housing 21, Thurston Relief In Need Charity, Mid Suffolk District Council, Osbornes, West Waddy Archadia and Thurston Parish Council as well as R G Carter who have been contracted to build the scheme.

Christopher Dashper, chairman of Thurston Parish Council, said: "We are pleased to see the commencement of the Housing 21 project in Thurston.

“Delivery of a project of this nature is a key objective of Thurston’s Neighbourhood Plan, supporting a range of sustainable housing solutions for current and future generations of a rapidly growing community.

The project brings significant added value to the local community, and we congratulate the efforts of all involved to bring this project to fruition."

The scheme will provide one and two-bedroom apartments and two-bedroom bungalows for older people with the assurance of on-site care for residents if and when they need it.

The properties will be available for rent or to be purchased through shared ownership.

Keith Towers, chairman and trustee of the Thurston in Need Charity which owns the land, said: “The charity are pleased to report that good progress has been made with the proposed Extra Care housing scheme on land adjacent to Heath Rd. Thurston, and Housing 21 are now able to proceed to the next stage.

“This project will provide much needed specialist accommodation for older members of our community and beyond.”

The scheme, which is set to open in Spring 2025, will include communal facilities and as well as a café and hair salon for the wider community.