Over-85s age group is fastest growing in area

South Staffordshire has the fastest growing population of over-85s in the UK, new figures reveal – putting pressure on housing chiefs to provide more tailored accommodation.

The news has been used to support an expanded £13 million scheme to build 82 new apartments for older people in Penkridge.

A marketing survey by the district council has shown that the 80-plus population is due to increase by almost 150 per cent over the next 20 years, making it the highest growing population in that age group in the country.

The number of over-65s is also due to rise by two-thirds in that time.

The council's strategic development manager Grant Mitchell said the district's greater ratio of older people was believed to be down to the higher incomes of that age bracket.

"People tend to move here when they retire or when they've moved up the salary scale because of the nature of the area, whereas younger people are more attracted to the more vibrant cities," he said.

Work on the flats and other amenities on the site of the former Silverdene nursing home in Tildesley Close could begin later this month.

Council bosses predict a significant rise of 13,400 people – or 16.4 per cent – in the over-65s group up to 2031 with the 80-plus category soaring by 7,500 – or 144.2 per cent.

At the same time, two thirds of the district's housing stock has three or more bedrooms while 80 per cent is either detached or semi-detached.

A report to last night's regulatory meeting refers to a mismatch between existing housing supply and future needs.

It continued: "It is clear to see from the district's demographic profile that there is a significant unmet and increasing need for older person's accommodation in South Staffordshire."

Sixteen letters of objection were received from local residents, raising concerns about the scale of the development and noise, disturbance and increased traffic.

But feedback from a recent public consultation has been favourable.