News

Tuesday 14th December 2021

Elmhirst Court opening event postponed over Covid safety.

 An official opening ceremony planned for our 11 new ‘Stepping Stone’ apartments for people with various levels of learning difficulties on a site at Dartington has been postponed due to Covid concerns for the safety of tenants, staff and guests.

The Elmhirst Court apartments on land owned and managed by SDR were completed in the summer and the first tenants have now moved in. For many, it will offer their first taste of independent living.

The December 15 ceremony, which was to have been attended by stakeholders in the project, will now be rescheduled for a date in early spring 2022.

Christine Candlish, SDR Chief Executive, said: “It is with great regret that we felt it necessary to postpone this event, which we’ve all been looking forward to for so long. Whilst we know this will be disappointing, our priority is keeping our residents, staff and visitors safe.

“The latest developments in terms of rising cases across Devon and the current uncertainty over the risks posed by Omicron Variant mean it’s vital to follow the latest guidance – as we’ve done since this pandemic was first declared.

“We had already taken Covid safety steps but, with some of our residents being especially vulnerable to infection, we had no choice but to err on the side of safety. We and our partners will get together as early as possible in 2022 to celebrate this fine building”.

Elmhirst Court forms part of SDR’s Brimhay Development Scheme and is a collaboration with Devon County Council (DCC) and South Hams District Council.

The apartment building has been funded by a £400,000 grant from Homes England and by the sale of market-value homes on the Brimhay Gardens development, with the surplus gift-aided back through SDR’s development arm, Rural Homes Ltd.