Denne completes scheme to help older people downsize in Crowborough

Denne has completed the construction of The Rowans, a brand new development of 19 self-contained flats and bungalows for older tenants of council houses in Crowborough, East Sussex.

The range of 16 flats and three bungalows is owned by Sussex Housing & Care and are now open for public viewing for Wealden residents aged 55 and over.

Built in partnership with Wealden District Council  with funding from the Homes & Communities Agency, the Rowans is intended to free up existing family council homes within the area, by providing high quality housing and facilities for older tenants of Wealden District Council or other housing associations in the area.

The Rowans has been designed and constructed to Lifetime Homes standards, so that older tenants in larger homes locally have the opportunity to relocate to accommodation that better suits their needs, while families on the waiting list for affordable housing can make full use of previously under-occupied homes.

Graham Brown, Managing Director of Denne said: “This development presents Crowborough with an opportunity to free up council properties in the area, while providing older people with energy efficient, new homes where they can live comfortably, with access to all the care and support they require.” 

Sussex Housing and Care appointed Denne as the sole contractor to design and construct the new homes, thanks to their excellent reputation for delivering quality housing and care facilities. The company is regarded as an expert in constructing extra care and supported living accommodation, having completed many successful developments across London, East Sussex and Kent.

Martin Burke, Chief Executive of Sussex Housing & Care said: ”The Rowans is a state of the art building providing the highest quality of social housing to local older people. We are currently working with Wealden District Council to fill the properties and already have some very satisfied residents living at The Rowans who tell me it’s like a 5 star hotel! We have been very pleased with Denne’s constructive and collaborative approach throughout the duration of the project.”

"There is a growing demand  for this sort  for accommodation for older people looking for up-to-date homes which best meet their own needs." said Councillor Graham Wells, Cabinet  Member for Affordable Housing. "We believe they will be impressed and we hope it will create new opportunities for growing young families to take advantage of the larger council homes that may become available. "

Denne undertook the demolition, clearance and remediation of the site, as well as external works, the super and sub-structures and all associated on and off site works during the construction project. As a result of various energy efficiency features of the design and build, The Rowans has achieved Code for Sustainable Homes Level 3 standards.