Work has finally started again on a North Staffordshire independent living complex after more than three years of delays.

Aspire purchased Brighton House, Silverdale in 2017 after Staffordshire County Council decided to close the care home the year before.

Aspire announced that Brighton House would be transformed into an over 55s accommodation comprising 19 individual properties.

Work on the site was set to begin in Spring 2019 with a completion date of April 2020. However, three years later and work has still not been completed.

In a statement Aspire now says work will be completed early 2024, which will be almost four years late for people from the nearby bungalows who are waiting to move in.

Work is now expected to be completed in early 2024 - four years later than originally predicted (LDR).

Chris Ryder who lives a stone's throw away from the vacant development called the development a 'mess' and said that he has only seen the odd person on the site.

The 48 year old said: "There has been the odd person there but it needs finishing because they are supposed to be knocking the bungalows down and the people living there are supposed to be moving in there but of course it's been like that.

"It's just a mess, a sight. It kept being put back, it was supposed to be open two years ago and then it was the following May, then it was September and how it's just been sat like that."

Resident Marlyn Thompson 82 labelled the development ridiculous. She said: "That should have been finished over two years ago, it's ridiculous. 

"It's nothing to do with Covid, the original company went bust, I got the letter telling me. I'm sick of looking at a building which hasn't been finished."

Works have been continually pushed back for three years, much to the annoyance of local residents (LDR).

Paul Latham, Development Manager at Aspire Housing: "We're pleased to announce that work is ongoing at The Sidings development site following some unexpected delays.

"The Sidings – formerly known as Brighton House – is undergoing an extensive refurbishment to introduce 19 high-quality new homes for over-55s in Silverdale. This scheme will help to meet the growing need for affordable housing in one of Aspire Housing's priority neighbourhoods, with great access to local facilities.

"This development unfortunately hit a significant delay when the company contracted to carry out the work went into insolvency. However, we have now appointed J. Harper & Sons to continue the exciting work on this site.

"We are looking forward to seeing this project progress as it reinvigorates a previously vacant building in the heart of the community, creating specially designed new homes for older people.

"The Sidings is expected to reach completion in early 2024 and we are looking forward to welcoming its first residents."

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