A DEVELOPMENT which will provide housing for adults with autism or learning disabilities has taken a step forward.

Hyndelle Lodge, in Hindley, will have 33 homes which will be designed to suit the needs of residents and help them to live independently.

Wigan Council has secured £1.725m of funding from Homes England towards the scheme with the rest of the money coming from the local authority's capital programme. It was approved by the council's cabinet in August.

Cllr Terry Halliwell, cabinet member for housing and welfare at the council, said: “Ultimately having the right home which meets your needs means people can live longer, happier and healthier lives.

“We have seen brilliant specialist housing schemes recently completed at Mayfield and Little Lane and the residents there are happy and are getting the support they need to live independently but with a community around them. We are committed to providing the right homes for our residents.”

There will be 12 apartments for residents with autism or learning disabilities, and 14 of them will be for adults with lower level learning disabilities.

Six bungalows will house elderly residents and there will be one specialist family bungalow.

All homes at the site, which used to be the old Amberswood Day Centre, will be let on affordable rents.

Carl Moore, Head of Home Ownership and Supply, at Homes England said: “It is wonderful to be working in partnership with Wigan Council to create this new development of 33 bespoke homes which meet the HAPPI standard, being specially designed to meet the needs of a range of people requiring differing levels of support.

“This is an excellent example of Homes England helping communities and providing affordable housing using £1.725m from the Shared Ownership and Affordable Homes Programme.

"We look forward to continuing our work with the Council to deliver more affordable homes in the future.”

Residents will be supported by staff 24 hours a day.

The development is part of the council's approach to create specialised housing for residents to meet their health needs.