The £22 million village in Birmingham's Newtown is the second of five being developed in a partnership between The ExtraCare Charitable Trust and Birmingham City Council. The Homes and Communities Agency has invested nearly £9m into the scheme with a further £3.2m coming from the Department of Health.

Cyrille said he was impressed with the facilities: "Now I've seen the flats I think it's fantastic, they're great. There's just a real community here and it's just what older people will need to stop isolation and give them some friends.

"I'm 54 next week so I think I'll put my name down!"

Linda Harewood, who was the first person to be offered a home at Pannel Croft Village, was given flowers by ExtraCare's Chief Executive Nick Abbey, who wished her luck with her upcoming move.

"A small apartment would be just right as I am struggling to manage with my arthritis," says Linda, who has lived in her three-bedroom council house for more than 40 years. "My current home would be better suited to meet the needs of a young family."

Linda is also interested in joining Village activities and likes the fact that care and support are available to support her increasing needs.

Nick Abbey said: "The Village will be very much part of the local community. The whole point of ExtraCare retirement villages is that there isn't anyone who can't afford to live here. With the range of rental and shared ownership, it's open to everyone.

"I'd like to thank all of the new friends of Pannel Croft Village. I hope that you'll be pleased and proud to move in either later this year or earlier next year."

During construction, the Village is providing 16 trainee and 17 apprenticeship roles on the construction site with community regeneration specialists Frank Haslam Milan (FHM). Once open, the Village will provide around 30 jobs, most recruited locally.

Due to open in early 2013, Pannel Croft Village will provide 180 one and two bedroom apartments for more than 200 local residents over the age of 55. Each apartment has its own front door, hallway, one or two bedrooms, living room, shower room and kitchen. The majority of homes have their own balcony, and all homes are fully accessible.

With part-purchase homes priced from £57,475 (for 50 percent purchase of a one bedroom home) and rental homes available to those on a minimum state pension, the opportunity to live at the Pannel Croft Village should be affordable for all.

An ExtraCare specialist benefits team is already located on site, ensuring all applicants are offered advice on claiming their housing and care entitlements.

It is expected that the Village will free up many socially-rented properties for local families, including Linda's three-bedroom home. The 104 rented units at New Oscott Village in Erdington, opened in 2010, released 41 three- or four-bedroom socially-rented properties as a result of older people moving into the retirement village.

The community will also provide flexible care, security and a wide range of health and leisure facilities which encourage independence and community participation. Facilities will include a fitness suite and gym, hairdressing and beauty salons, library and IT suite, village shop, woodwork area, greenhouse and a multi-faith worship room.

Qualified ExtraCare staff will provide care to residents who are assessed as needing help. Subject to individual needs and a full assessment, the Village may support some residents with dementia and complex mental health needs. ExtraCare's award-winning well-being service will provide all residents with advice on healthy living.

ExtraCare's Community Relations Worker is currently engaging with the local community to understand the needs of older people in the area and to ensure that specific housing, healthcare, language and support needs are all taken into account. A number of meetings and social events have already been set up as part of an emerging Village Friends Club, which Linda currently attends. The Village will be open to local older people and volunteers as part of a sociable community hub.

Cllr John Lines, Birmingham City Council's Cabinet Member for Housing, said: "Once built, the retirement village will provide affordable housing, state-of-the-art facilities and excellent services that support older people in terms of independence, mobility and quality of life.  Not only will the village provide older people with affordable housing and a high quality environment, those moving from council properties will free up much needed homes for others - making this move mutually beneficial.

"The ongoing work of the village will also help to create employment opportunities for local people, which is vital in the current economic climate."

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Picture: Birmingham City Council's Cabinet Member for Housing, Cllr John Lines, joins future resident Linda Harewood (68) and former West Bromwich Albion footballer Cyrille Regis MBE at the opening of Pannel Croft Village's show apartments in Newtown, Birmingham.

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-Ends-

-Notes to Editors-

For more information on Pannel Croft Village, please visit: /extracare-communities/locations/pannel-croft-village.aspx

ExtraCare's five year strategy (2011-2016) includes a £200m development programme to complete at least five villages in Birmingham with the City Council, as follows:

1. New Oscott Village, Erdington (opened 2010, now over-subscribed)
2. Pannel Croft Village, Newtown (under construction, opens 2013)
3. Hagley Road Village, Harborne (under construction, opens 2014)
4. Bournville Village, Bournville (2014-15)
5. Shaftmoor Lane Village, Acocks Green (2015-16)

The Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) is the single, national housing and regeneration delivery agency for England. Our vision is to create opportunity for people to live in homes they can afford in places they want to live, by enabling local authorities and communities to deliver the ambition they have for their own areas.

Founded in 1988, The ExtraCare Charitable Trust is a registered charity, based in Coventry. The Charity operates 12 retirement villages and 17 smaller housing developments across the Midlands and the North.

Each ExtraCare resident can expect a safe, secure future, renting or buying a spacious and affordable home with award-winning care and a wide range of social opportunities to enjoy.

For further information, please contact:

Lucy Henson, PR officer
0789 105 3062
lucy.henson@extracare.org.uk