A project to help more elderly people across Braintree live independently by creating 99 new homes has been awarded a £1.3 million grant.

Abbeyfield Housing Braintree and Bocking was given permission to build the homes off Church Lane by Braintree Council last year.

Essex County Council has now agreed to support the scheme.

The council’s independent living programme will see £27.7 million invested between now and 2022 to help the development of self-contained homes for the county’s ageing population.

The investment will enable older people in Essex to have a third choice, rather than just remaining at home or going into a care home.

Under the plans 37 homes would be affordable and 62 homes would be for sale.

Construction of the homes is expected to be completed in March 2019.

The council will be able to nominate older people with eligible care needs as potential tenants for the affordable units and for an exclusive period sug- gest clients for any of the units which are for sale.

John Spence, cabinet member for health and adult social care, said: “Independent living housing helps older people to continue to live in a home of their own but with the peace of mind of 24-hour care, if they need it.

“That’s why Essex County Council is investing up to £27.7 million to create 1,800 new Independent Living homes across the county between now and 2022.

“Our investment in this scheme at Bocking will help more people in the Braintree district to live in a safe property in later life, that gives them the freedom to come and go as they please.”

Visit www.independentessex.co.uk