An innovative community care scheme for older residents in Southend is in the running for two internationally acclaimed awards.

Hazelhurst Court is made up of 60 one and two-bed 'extra-care homes', designed to allow older people to live independently in secure and comfortable accommodation within their communities and established networks of friends, family and neighbours.

The scheme's success has been recognised by nomination for a 2020 Civic Trust Award and for the Selwyn Goldsmiths Awards for Universal Design.

Lesley Johnson, Phoenix’s Director of Property and New Business, said: “We are delighted to have been notified that we’re are a finalist in these prestigious awards.

“We are committed not only to building new homes, but to building new homes of the highest quality. Hazelhurst Court is a magnificent development and provides residents with excellent, secure and comfortable homes to live in.

“Providing quality homes at Hazelhurst Court was a demand from our resident leadership group that we are delighted to have met. It has also resulted in larger homes becoming available for others in need.

“Recognition such as this is wonderful and testament to the hard work and commitment of everyone involved. It makes us all very proud.”

Designed by architects Levitt Bernstein, the scheme also incorporates communal areas, including a kitchen and dining area, garden room and lounge area and a shared courtyard.

Residents first move into their homes in November 2017.

Irene Craik, Director at Levitt Bernstein, added: “We are thrilled that Hazelhurst Court has been recognised in the Civic Trust Awards which encourage and promote benefit to the local community.

"We designed the scheme with this in mind, sensitively knitting in with its neighbours while providing comfortable, light and airy homes for Phoenix’s local older residents that will accommodate their changing needs over time."

Established in 1959 to recognise outstanding architecture, planning and design in the built environment, the Civic Trust Awards recognise projects that have made a positive contribution to the local communities they serve, the Selwyn Goldsmiths Awards for Universal Design being one category.

The awards ceremony takes place on Friday March 6 2020 at the Imperial War Museum North in Trafford, Manchester.