New multi-million pound Hebburn extra care scheme on track for completion in 2026

A new extra care development in Hebburn, South Tyneside, is set to be finished by 2026, according to council care bosses. The multi-million-pound project was given the green light by South Tyneside Council’s Planning Committee last year and is one of three planned for the area.

These extra care schemes are designed to offer more specialist accommodation options and support people with different care needs to live independently. Housing provider Karbon Homes submitted the plans for Hebburn and has been working with the council to create new adult social care accommodation across the borough.

The final plans include around 95 flats, mostly one-bedroom, with some two-bedroom ones as well. The £26 million project is aimed at adults of “all ages and needs”, including those with learning disabilities, with the goal of keeping families together. Around 17 of the flats will be for residents living with dementia. The development, called ‘Hebburn Gardens’, will also have a community focus, featuring a bistro cafe open to everyone and multi-use spaces for activities.

Despite some delays, the extra care development near Hebburn Central and Glen Street has finally been given the green light to move forward. Right now, preparation work is happening at the site, with construction set to start in the next few months.

On Monday, February 19, a presentation about this development was shown to councillors and locals at the Hebburn Community Area Forum (CAF). During this meeting, it was shared that the Hebburn Gardens development will take two years to build, with hopes of finishing by 2026.

When asked by the public, it was confirmed that the council will help choose who gets to live in the extra care scheme once it’s done.

It was also mentioned that some flats will have safe charging spots for electric scooters or wheelchairs. This feature was created with help from the fire and rescue service, building regulations and the contractor.

But, the council did say there will be a limit on how big the electric scooters can be inside the building.

Nicola Macdougall, who works for South Tyneside Council as the service manager for independent living, gave the presentation to Hebburn CAF. She said extra care schemes are really good because they help reduce loneliness, encourage independence and bring the community together. Plus, the average cost of extra care is almost half that of traditional residential care.

A council officer has shared updates about the Hebburn extra care scheme, saying: In the next few months things will ramp up and you will start to see construction happen. It’s a two-year build and the expected completion of the Hebburn scheme is 2026”.

There have been some worries about staffing for the extra care scheme, but it was noted that efforts are being made to get more staff and keep them. Along with the Hebburn scheme, two more extra care schemes are planned in the borough, thanks to a partnership between Karbon Homes and South Tyneside Council.

These three schemes, including Hebburn, Dean Road in Westoe and Chuter Ede, aim to create up to 300 new homes. This will help with the lack of affordable specialist accommodation options in South Tyneside. The special schemes hope to change what people expect from extra care, which is usually aimed at older adults, by offering housing and care to residents over 18 with additional support needs.