HCC Sept 2026 – Provision of Supported Housing at Westbury

Overview

Hertfordshire County Council is procuring a delivery partner for a new Supported Housing scheme at Westbury, Letchworth. The project forms part of the Council's wider five-year programme to increase the supply and quality of supported living accommodation for disabled adults and its Extra Care Housing Programme, which aims to provide modern, accessible homes that promote independence and wellbeing for older people who require care and support. The Council's preferred approach is to work with a Registered Provider that can bring development expertise, long-term ownership and housing management experience, supported by Homes England funding and Registered Provider investment alongside Council resources. The successful partner would develop, own and manage the accommodation on Council-owned land under a long lease arrangement. The Council is currently undertaking preparatory work on the site and expects to progress design and enabling works during 2025/26, with construction planned from 2026 onwards and completion between 2027 and 2030. Outline planning permission is expected to be secured through North Hertfordshire District Council, with any necessary enabling works undertaken to facilitate delivery of the scheme. Hertfordshire County Council (the “Council”) is a large shire county in the south-east of England with a population of 1.2 million. Hertfordshire is a two-tier authority with 10 district and borough councils providing complementary local services to residents. In February 2025, the Council launched a five-year delivery plan to increase the supply and quality of supported living accommodation in Hertfordshire and, in doing so, deliver wider health and wellbeing outcomes to meet the existing and future demand for disabled adults in Hertfordshire by 2030.  The programme responds to current and future demand, including people who currently live in unsuitable existing HCC accommodation, people living with their family who now need a home of their own, people in residential care whose needs could be met in supported living, and people living outside Hertfordshire who wish to return. The Supported Living Delivery Programme is intended to replace outdated accommodation, improve quality and accessibility, support independence, and provide modern homes.   The Council’s Extra Care delivery programme focusses on the provision of modern, accessible homes across the county that support independent living for older people and adults with care needs. By increasing the supply of Extra Care housing, the council aims to meet growing demand, promote well-being and independence, reduce reliance on residential care and ensure residents can remain in their communities while receiving flexible support tailored to their changing needs. The programme is responding to significant demographic growth, with evidence indicating a need for around 8,000 additional Extra care units by 2042, including approximately 1,800 affordable homes.   The Council’s preferred delivery approach is to work with Registered Providers who can bring housing development expertise, long-term ownership and housing management experience. This approach is intended to support delivery at pace while also making use of Homes England funding and Registered Provider investment alongside Council resources. The Council is exploring the best approach to work with developing Registered Providers (both Housing Associations and Local Authorities) (‘RPs’) to deliver, own and manage accommodation on Council owned land via a long lease (virtual freehold).    The Council is currently undertaking preparatory work on the Westbury site which is Council owned with a view to progressing design and enabling works during 2026-27, construction in 2027/28 – 2028/29 and phased completion and handover in 2028–30.   The Council anticipates obtaining outline planning approval for the site via the Local Planning Authority at North Herts District Council and undertaking enabling works where require