A call to back a £13.5m scheme to provide 25 affordable homes for the over-55s in Haverfordwest has been backed by senior Pembrokeshire councillors.

At Pembrokeshire County Council’s Cabinet meeting of June 2, members were asked to award a fixed contract of £13,560,454.21 to C Wynne & Son to construct 25 flats, one bedsit, a 12 bed reablement facility, communal areas and all other associated works.

Cabinet approval was on condition that the Housing with Care Fund grant application receives panel approval for 100 per cent of the build costs for the reablement element of the development, some £5.5m.

If this grant funding is not forthcoming, the Cabinet approval is reneged, with further funding options re-presented to a future Cabinet for consideration.

A report for members said: “As well as providing long-term residents with a sense of place and community, it will provide short-term reablement users with the facilities and in-house support which they need to relearn the skills required to keep them safe and independent when they return home.”

It said there was a need for one-bed properties, and a review of sheltered over 55 accommodation was undertaken in 2018-19 which identified that existing sheltered housing stock is “no longer fit for purpose”.

“At this point the local authority embarked on a programme of renewing this stock, replacing with modern, accessible and compliant homes that promote independent living and preventing unnecessary moves to residential care. This proactive support reduces crisis situations and lowers the likelihood of emergency interventions, helping to manage demand for higher cost services.

“It is anticipated that Haverfordia House will provide one such development in the LA programme, such sheltered schemes are needed as a housing option for over 55s in the county. Currently the authority has 629 sheltered housing properties, the average age of PCC Sheltered tenants is 71 years.

“91 per cent of these tenants receive regular contact and needs-led support from the Sheltered Housing Assistants, and 30 per cent of these residents have more complex needs such as significant mental health issues, physical disabilities, severe hoarding.

“The wider benefits of the support provided by Sheltered Housing Assistants based at Haverfordia House will play a vital role in enhancing the well-being of the residents, they will provide day to day support that significantly improves residents’ quality of life.

“This includes regular welfare checks, co-ordination of support services, and timely intervention in case of emerging health or mobility issues, all of which contribute to helping residents remain independent for longer.

“The one scheme will deliver facilities for both Housing and Social Care, within the surroundings of a public car park, green open space fields and easily accessible to local services to the town centre of Haverfordwest.”

In 2019, Cabinet backed the acquisition of the freehold of Haverfordia House, with the overall intention to deliver a new housing and wellbeing facility following its demolition.

Cabinet Member for Housing Cllr Michelle Bateman conceded there would be some public concern at the high cost, stating it was due to additional facilities such as lifts and security, adding: “We need to ensure we’re building what is needed not just what is cheapest.”

Members unanimously backed the awarding of the contract.