A NEW £1.6million town centre housing development for people needing extra support is now fully-reserved.

Limes Place in Argyle Street, Colne, will help people with a range of support needs to live as independently as possible.

It provides specialist housing for people with learning disabilities, mental health needs, dementia and physical disabilities.

The complex has developed by social care charity Making Space, specialist accommodation developer Homelife and health and social care landlord Inclusion Housing.

The accommodation was commissioned by Lancashire County Council to provide new accommodation to replace the dated residential Limes care home in Burnley.

The first tenant moved in on December 17 and the 11 apartments are now provisionally filled.

Five of the new residents have transferred from The Limes and others from different residential care homes.

The flats have open plan kitchens and living areas and state-of-the-art wetrooms.

The new tenants have their own front doors, their own TVs and are supported to shop and cook for themselves, stocking their own cupboards and fridges.

The development also features landscaped gardens and a large communal area.

Making Space also has planning permission to develop ten supported living-bungalows on adjoining land to provide specialist housing for people with a lower level of needs.

Manager Suzanne Horsley said: "We already have some great success stories.

"One older gentlemen was very institutionalised, after living in residential care for many years. He had developed problems with hoarding and anger, and often didn't leave his room.

"He is now very happy, his apartment is immaculate and he is going out into the community daily. He has signed up for an anger management course to help him manage his behaviour and now has his own bank account and debit card.

"Two female friends from The Limes residential home now have neighbouring flats and are enjoying going out with support to local cafes and pubs."

New tenant Madeline Cooke, 58, said: “Going from having one room, to living in my own apartment is liberating. I have all of my favourite shops within a short walk.

"I love to hear the church bells ringing and get a taste of the history of Colne."

Jon Blackburn,commissioning manager for Lancashire County Council, said: "The authority has been involved from the outset with the development of Limes Place and is funding care and support costs of people living at the scheme."