A Gidea Park sheltered housing scheme was demolished this week to make way for 98 new extra care homes for people over 55.

The new development in Snowden Court, Squirrel’s Heath Lane, will include self-contained one and two bedroom apartments with specialist care, support and housing service.

Havering Council is working with East Thames to develop the new scheme.

It will be tailored to meet the care needs of the residents and can provide additional care 24-hours a day if needed.

Twenty of the units will be available for residents to buy on a shared ownership or part buy, part rent scheme where people can buy a share of their home.

The scheme is being part funded by the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) who have provided a social housing grant of �5.33m. East Thames have added �7m into the fund.

The development, which is expected to be complete in January 2013, will include facilities like a hairdressers, a guest suite, resident lounge and a restaurant. It will also have a terrace garden for residents.

Geoff Pearce, East Thames director of development and asset management said:

“With an ageing population schemes like this are in high demand.

“Older people will see this as a good opportunity to downsize their home and move into a beautifully designed, purpose-built development, with support available should they ever need it.”

Cllr Lesley Kelly, Havering Council cabinet member for housing, said: “We have a high proportion of elderly people in the borough and want to improve the number and quality of homes available to them.

“We also want our elderly residents to live as independently as possible, which is what they want, and which also has the added benefit of keeping costs down for local taxpayers.”