Southampton City Council shortlisted for major national housing award

Southampton City Council’s commitment to building new homes and supporting local people has been recognised in the shortlist for the prestigious UK Housing Awards, sponsored by Inside Housing magazine

The council has secured a place in the Homebuilder of the Year category, thanks to the success of its newest housing with care scheme, Potters Court, which welcomed its first residents earlier this year.

The Homebuilder of the Year award celebrates:

  • The delivery of quality homes
  • Positive impact on residents’ lives
  • Efforts to deliver efficiency and cost-effectiveness
  • Proactive engagement with the community
  • Collaborative stakeholder working
  • Meeting objectives and overcoming challenges

With 83 one and two-bedroom homes, Potters Court in Maybush is the largest housing with care scheme in the city, offering independent living for adults with care and support needs.

Housing with care (also known as “extra care”) provides tenants with the privacy and independence of their own flat, plus the reassurance of onsite support and 24-hour care.

Tenants with significant needs, including those with dementia, can be supported, as well as those who are more independent but still require some care to treat lesser health conditions. Help is on hand in emergencies, such as falls or unexpected illness, throughout the day and night, offering extra peace of mind to tenants and their families.

Each of the affordable rent Potters Court homes benefits from a modern, open-plan living area with stylish kitchen, an accessible wet room, a balcony or terrace area, a door entry system, a telecare support system, energy-efficient heating, and full wheelchair accessibility.

The Wimpson Lane scheme has been built by Drew Smith Group (Vistry Partnerships) to a high standard, and features a modern interior, landscaped gardens, and a range of communal facilities.

Councillor Ivan White, Cabinet Member for Health and Adult Social Care, Southampton City Council, said:  “It’s a wonderful achievement for us, and our partners, to be in the running for this UK Housing Award, which recognises our efforts to build quality homes, meet the challenge to support vulnerable residents, and ease pressures on local health care services. I’m proud of the team’s hard work in delivering this scheme and how Potters Court sets a new standard for housing with care in Southampton”.

Yvonne Mills, Head of Partnerships, Drew Smith (Vistry Partnerships) said: “This achievement is all down to the hard work of our innovative team and partners, especially throughout the national lockdown. We are proud that Potters Court provides beautiful and quality new homes for vulnerable people within the local area. We always enjoy working with our longstanding partners at Southampton City Council and look forward to many more successful projects in the future.”

The full UK Housing Awards shortlist can be viewed online. The winners will be revealed at an awards ceremony on 28 November 2021.

For more information about Potters Court, including a virtual tour of the show flat, please visit the New Homes section.