WORK is to continue on an extra care development site in Okehampton, after it was put on hold last year.

The major redevelopment of the Castle Hospital site in Okehampton will provide a new extra care housing scheme, with 50 purpose-built flats and additional facilities for the community.

Guinness Developments Limited has now taken on a new contractor, Mi-Space UK Limited to continue the work on the new scheme, which will be called Castle Ham Lodge.

It will provide on-site care and support services 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

A care and support team will respond to planned and responsive care and support needs, which will allow people to receive as much or as little care as they need.

Guinness Hermitage area programme manager, Ryan Hosken, said: 'Guinness Care and Support Limited will be writing to those who are already on our list of applicants in the coming weeks, so that they are aware of the new arrangements.

'We also hope to be able to hold another open day and would encourage people to come along to view the site and ask any questions they might have.

'The original weekend was held in August last year and proved very popular, with approximately 400 visitors.

'No date has yet been set for the new open day, but we hope that the building work will have sufficiently progressed to allow visitors to view more of the building than we were safely able to show last time.'

The extra care project, which has been designed specifically for older residents, is being delivered in partnership with The Homes and Communities Agency, Devon County Council and West Devon Borough Council.

It consists of fifty flats, all one and two bedrooms, which are designed to be fully wheelchair accessible and include level access showers and the latest adaptable telecare system from Tunstall.

The development is expected to be completed by the end of October 2010.