Hundreds more homes for independent living for the elderly planned for Surrey
It could mean fewer having to go in to hospital or move to a care home
There are plans for 725 new purpose-built homes in Surrey allowing older people to live independently for longer.
Surrey County Council say they will be created across 13 sites by 2030.
The extra care housing will be self-contained - with smart technology and voice-activated devices - and support day and night if needed.
Five sites have already been earmarked - 310 apartments have already been announced for Ottershaw, Camberley, Guildford, Epsom and Frimley.
A further eight are being considered as potential locations for 415 apartments, including in Waverley, Elmbridge, Reigate and Banstead, putting the council on track to meet its target of providing 725 apartments within the next decade.
The extra care developments, which will bring into use the county council’s own land, will be in keeping with the local area and include communal facilities such as a lounge, café and landscaped garden.
The housing will be close to the heart of the community and within a short distance of local amenities
Sinead Mooney, Surrey County Council’s Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care, Public Health and Domestic Abuse, said: "Our plans to provide hundreds of new homes across Surrey to help older people lead active and independent lives are really coming together. Residents will have their own self-contained flat, with their own front door, safe in the knowledge that support is available day and night if needed.
"For some people, extra care housing could stop them needing to go into hospital or move to a care home. We’re committed to doing all we can to tackle inequalities in health in our county as part of achieving our community vision for 2030. These schemes - part of our wider plan for accommodation with care and support in Surrey - will be a big part of helping us meet our goal."