Bolesworth Estate Identified as Exemplar of 'Best Practice'

Matthew Morris (Estate Manager, Bolesworth Estate) is just back from The House of Lords, at which the launch of the Rural HAPPI* Report of an All-Party Parliamentary Group took place on Monday 30 April.

*Housing our Ageing Population: Panel for Innovation (HAPPI)

Published after a 9-month Inquiry organised by the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Housing & Care for Older People, the Report warns that growing numbers of older people in rural areas will face a 'huge challenge to their independence and well-being' as their family homes become increasingly unsuitable. The Report has looked at the unique, and at times challenging circumstances, facing older people in rural areas in terms of access to housing.

The Chair of the Inquiry, Lord Best, said: 'For all the advantages of living in the countryside, life can be pretty miserable if your home is no longer right for you: if you can no longer manage the steps and stairs, if maintaining the property is costing too much, if keeping warm is a trial and your energy bills a nightmare, if you can no longer tend the once-beautiful garden'. And in relation to the need for care, he went on 'Indeed, if you need some support – and some company – but if these are not to hand, then country living can be tough'.

Bolesworth Estate has not only been proud to assist the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Rural Housing for Older People but is absolutely delighted that the Estate has been cited as an exemplar of 'Best Practice'. Their housing schemes at both Gifford Lea, Tattenhall, and at Burwardsley Court, Burwardsley, have featured in the Report which makes several recommendations as to how life can be made easier and the situation improved.

Matthew Morris commented 'Bolesworth Estate is delighted to have assisted Lord Best and his colleagues in providing context and background to this Report. We recognise the challenges that the Rural Area brings in terms of housing, especially for older people, and we are delighted that some of our projects have been identified as an exemplar of best practice.'

'This further builds on our work with the Rural Growth Board for Cheshire West in which Rural Housing is a key area of discussion'.

To access the full Report CLICK HERE.