Keepmoat has officially started work on a £12.4 million housing and care home development in Darwen, Lancashire.

The facility will provide homes for people over the age of 50 who have assessed care needs.

Keepmoat is carrying out the work for the Together Housing Association on the 119 home scheme, along with Darwen Borough Council.

The Darwen project will be home to 85 self-contained apartments, with a number of communal facilities such as gardens, a hair and beauty salon, a restaurant and a resident’s lounge.

34 additional two bedroom bungalows will also be built on the same site for applicants who are aged over 50, while work is expected to be complete by spring 2018.

Frank Mondino, Keepmoat Area Director, commented: “We have worked in partnership with Together Housing and Blackburn Council on previous projects and this scheme embraces our shared vision of providing quality housing options for the ageing population in Lancashire.

“We have delivered substantial extra care and specialist projects for older people and this new facility in Darwen will not only provide a safe environment, but the on-site amenities will enhance social inclusion.”

Earlier in the month, Keepmoat announced that its revenue increased for the year up to March 31 and will now target the private rental and retirement home sectors.

Group revenue increased by 3.5% to £1,134 million from £1,095 million the year before as small growth in the home division was offset by a marginal decline in revenue from the regeneration sector.

The company said that that group performance was in line with expectations in the face of significant shifts in government policy and continued strong demand for new housing. Good progress is being made in developing growth opportunities in new markets and sectors, it added.

Adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortisation (EBITDA) were £66.7m, representing a 4.5% rise on the £63.8m value from the previous year.