All in the name for £6m housing scheme

Youngsters in Sandwell have come up with a name for a new £6 million housing development for older people in the borough.

The extra care housing scheme in Oldbury will be named Queensridge Court after input from pupils at Brandhall Primary School.

The development of 87 apartments will be the first of three major extra care schemes to be built over the next five years in the borough and will replace the demolished Kingsmeadow care home at the junction of Queensway and Aldridge Road. The new name has been chosen to reflect its address.

Year 6 youngsters worked alongside housing staff to draw up suggestions for the name, with help from borough archaeologist Graham Eyre-Morgan who explained about the history of the area.

The pupils then made presentations to a panel made up of representatives from the Brandhall Tenants and Residents Association, Housing 21 and Sandwell Council with members opting for the name Queensridge Court.

Adult services chief Councillor Darren Cooper said it was great to see the enthusiasm of the young people involved in the project. "They are playing their part within the local community and they have shown real imagination and creativity in coming up with a name which will mean something to their neighbourhood," he said. "It is great to see young people involved in this way so that they feel part of the community."

Housing chief Councillor Mahboob Hussain added: "This new housing scheme will add to the choice of affordable homes in Sandwell for older people who want to live independently for as long as possible."

Sandwell Council will have the first call on use of 54 rented units to offer independent living for senior citizens as an alternative to residential homes. The project will also offer 33 shared ownership units.