A local community priority has reached the final stages of completion with an out-of-date sheltered housing scheme redeveloped into a 21st century extra care housing development .

The development of Housing 21's new extra care housing scheme in Kirk Sandall has reached a key milestone with the official naming and the opening of the show flat.

Representatives of Doncaster Metropolitan Borough Council, Housing 21, The Homes and Communities Agency and developers, Frank Haslam Milan (FHM), will gather together at Rokeby Gardens, formerly Graham House, to mark this important milestone on Friday 2 September at 2pm.

The scheme, which has been driven by local neighbourhood investment priorities, has been specially designed to enable older people to continue to live independently. It provides 41 two bedroom apartments for affordable rent plus a further 11 apartments for low cost home ownership.

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Ray Mullis, portfolio holder for housing at Doncaster Council will be presented with the new 'Rokeby Gardens' name sign and will be joined by the project's partners for a tour of the show flat and the development, which is still under construction.

Siobhan Moore, head of programme delivery for Housing 21 said: "We're delighted to be officially naming Rokeby Gardens today. This is a lovely development that will provide residents with very comfortable apartments that have been built to a high specification, ensuring their security and peace of mind."

The apartments at Rokeby Gardens boast individually controlled under floor heating, level access wet-room showers and a security entry system with intercom. Communal facilities include a restaurant, therapy room, activity rooms, assisted bathroom, well equipped laundry room and guest suite. Outside residents can enjoy a landscaped garden with seating areas.

The £5.6 million project, which received funding of £2.7 million from the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA), will enable residents to live independently whilst enjoying the availability of a dedicated Court Manager, 24 hour presence and access to personal care and support.

Laura Richardson, project manager for the HCA said: "I am really pleased to see the progress our funding has achieved at Rokeby Gardens and look forward to seeing the real benefits this will have for the residents."

As Rokeby Gardens is still under construction, visits to the show flat are strictly by appointment only. The first 20 apartments will be ready for occupation in September 2011 with the remainder by December 2011.

(CD/GK)