Following three years of construction works, the £19 million extra care living scheme Harbour Place is now open to residents. 

 

Based in Workington, the 107-home site offers a range of apartments for people with extra care needs and social housing bungalows. 

 

The development has been delivered in partnership between Riverside, Atkinson Building Contractors and Cumberland Council who have provided revenue funding for the care and support services. In addition, the project has received capital funding from Homes England who have provided over £12 million towards the construction. 

 

Alongside the new homes, Harbour Place boasts a wide range of community facilities including an onsite hairdressing salon, cafe and restaurant, which the public can also enjoy. In addition, residents will benefit from a dedicated onsite care team, personalised support with individual care needs and a 24-hour emergency call system, utilising the very latest technology.   

 

The new development has created 30 new jobs for Workington and Cumbria residents with plans to create even more roles this year. 

 

Across Cumberland there is significant need for more extra care services and homes for older people and official data has shown that over a quarter of the local population are aged over 65. 

 

Harbour Place consists of 79 apartments for extra care residents and 28 affordable bungalows for individuals aged over 55. 

 

Sally Nichols, Assistant Director of Operations in Housing & Care at Riverside, said: “We are delighted to be welcoming our first residents to Harbour Place and we look forward to supporting them as they settle into their new homes. From the very beginning, Harbour Place has been designed with older people and those living with care and support needs in mind. We want all our residents to be able to live the best quality lives they can and enjoy feeling a sense of independence in a safe environment.” 

 

Ian Martin, Operations Manager at Atkinson Building Contractors added: “It is with great pride and a real sense of achievement that we hand over Harbour Place to The Riverside Group. From the outset, we have been delighted to work closely with The Riverside Group to create a welcoming and supportive environment for residents with a range of care and support needs. Through dedication and an excellent working relationship with Riverside, we are especially proud to have delivered a scheme that promotes independence, wellbeing, and a genuine sense of community. We look forward to seeing Harbour Place make a positive difference for people in Workington.” 

 

Cllr Lisa Hinton, Deputy Leader and Executive Member for Adult Social Care at Cumberland Council said: “Harbour Place is far more than a new building – it is a vital part of how we meet the growing adult social care needs of our communities. It is wonderful to see residents beginning to make it their home, and to know that this development will help people in Workington and across Cumberland to live safely, independently and with dignity. 

 
“We know demand for modern, high‑quality extra care housing is increasing, and Harbour Place plays an essential role in providing the right support at the right time. It enables older people and those with extra care needs to stay connected to their community, with care available as their needs change. This is exactly the kind of forward‑thinking provision we need to help more of our residents live well for longer, and we are proud to have played our part in bringing it to life.” 

 

Josh MacAlister OBE MP for Whitehaven and Workington commented: “It’s wonderful to see Harbour Place opening its doors to residents and becoming a real part of the Workington community. This development is about much more than bricks and mortar – it’s about giving people the chance to live independently, feel safe and supported, and enjoy later life in a place they can truly call home. I’m proud to see this level of investment coming into our area and grateful to everyone involved for working together to deliver something that will make a lasting difference for local people and families.”