Local resident Christine Bokhari (69), who has lived in Harborne for nearly 50 years, pupils from Lordswood Girls and Boys Schools and Cllr John Lines, the City's Cabinet Member for Housing, were amongst 100 guests providing capsule gifts which represent the area's history.

Opening in Spring 2014, the £40m Village will provide 240 affordable homes for purchase and rent for more than 350 Birmingham residents who are over the age of 55. 18 health and leisure facilities will form the Village's Centre and will be open to over 400 residents and the wider community. A team of 30 staff will provide hospitality services and help support residents with care needs, including those with dementia.

Over 1,000 households have already registered their interest in the Village, the third of at least five City Villages planned as part of a £200m development programme between The ExtraCare Charitable Trust and Birmingham City Council. The Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) has also contributed £1m to the Village's development.

The first Village, New Oscott (with Midland Heart and the HCA), opened in 2010 and is already oversubscribed. A second Village, Pannel Croft (also with HCA) in Newtown, is under construction for completion in 2013.

ExtraCare's Chief Executive, Nick Abbey, said: "Hagley Road construction works are ahead of schedule whilst demand for the Village remains strong and positive amongst local residents - we are set to invite applications later next year. We will also establish 'friends meetings' to enable Harborne's wider community to become fully involved with the Village before it opens."

Local resident Christine Bokhari, who is considering moving to the Village, said: "People's ideas about what they want in their older years have changed. I think this village is the way forward, and will allow residents to maintain their independence in a safe, secure environment."

Cllr John Lines, Birmingham City Council's Cabinet Member for Housing, said: "I'm delighted to be part of this event and proud that the vision of the Council, in partnership with ExtraCare, means there will be a third retirement village in Harborne.

"I am in no doubt that this village will transform the lives of older people giving them independence, a high standard of living, and the comfort of a new home with brand new facilities. Today's event brings us one step closer to realising a new village for the community and new opportunities of employment for local people."

David Rhead, Area Manager for The HCA Midlands said; "Hagley Road will be our third joint venture with the Extracare Charitable Trust and Birmingham City Council, demonstrating our investment into supported housing in the City as well as our ability to deliver as a partnership. ExtraCare has a strong track record of community engagement and so here, like New Oscott and Pannel Croft, we have an active and supportive local community."

Picture: Local resident Christine Bokhari with Cllr John Lines and pupils from Lordswood Girls' and Boys' Schools (left to right) Amy Robinson, Klaudia Boguta, Muhammed Hanza and Jeevan Grewal.

See more pictures on Flickr!

-Ends-

-Notes for Editors-

Items put into the time capsule for burial included:

-         From ExtraCare's Chief Executive, Nick Abbey, a copy of the results from a survey of local residents, taken on 17th May 2010, that revealed 100 percent were in favour of the Village's development

-         From potential future resident Christine Bokhari, a copy of the Birmingham Mail, to show what is happening in the area at the moment, food labels from local products, and receipts from local shops

-         From pupils at Lordswood Girls' School Amy Robinson and Klaudia Boguta, a school tie and badge

-         From pupils at Lordswood Boys' School Jeevan Grewal and Muhammed Hanza, an origami model of a ninja and a poppy

-         From Cllr John Lines, a Birmingham Coat of Arms pin and a Royal British Legion commemorative poppy pin, as it celebrates its 90th anniversary year

-         A picture of Pope Benedict XVI passing the Hagley Road Village site in September 2010

-         A cross-stitch of The ExtraCare Charitable Trust's logo

The ExtraCare Charitable Trust was established in 1988.  The Charity supports over 3,700 older people in 17 housing schemes and 11 villages across the Midlands and the North.

For more information on Hagley Road Village, please visit /extracare-communities/locations/hagley-road-village.aspx

For additional pictures, queries or comment, please contact:

Richard Tower, PR Manager
Mobile: 0772 055 3658
Telephone: 02476 506011
richard.tower@extracare.org.uk

Lucy Henson, PR Officer
Mobile: 0789 105 3062
Telephone: 02476 507926
lucy.henson@extracare.org.uk