A MULTI-million pound scheme to provide new homes for elderly and vulnerable people has been given the go-ahead.

Shaftsbury Court, in Rectory Road, Pitsea, will be redeveloped with an £11million pound scheme announced yesterday.

It is part of an £80m Government programme to provide housing with a high level of support for residents, at 25 locations across the country.

In Pitsea, the scheme will create 43 flats for rent, five for leasehold shared ownership and four for use by people in need of short-term support.

The flats will be available to elderly people who would otherwise end up in a care home, people with physical difficulties, people with degenerative and long-term conditions and people in the early stages of dementia.

The site is owned by Sanctuary Group, a charity which manages 70,000 homes in England and Scotland. It currently has 38 bedsits and 24 flats, with communal facilities.

David Finch, county councillor responsible for health and community wellbeing, said: “This is really wonderful news.

“It will contribute to ensuring older people, people with chronic conditions, disabled people and people with mental health needs can live independently for as long as possible, with greater choice and control over the services they receive.”

The new Shaftsbury Court will also feature a facilities for exercise classes and health services, a cafe and IT room and a garden where residents can grow their own vegetables.

Work is due to begin at the end of September.