Red Oak Court, Dorset – Relocatable Housing scheme for people with Learning Disabilities and Mental Health problems

HLIN Case Study 166 cover

This Housing LIN Case Study (166), written by Adam Fitzgerald, Programme Manager at Building Better Lives in Housing at Dorset Council, describes Red Oak Court, a housing scheme entirely constructed from factory-built modular units that can be relocated multiple times over their life. 

Located in Wareham, Dorset, 13 of the homes are used to create a Supported Living service, primarily for people with Learning Disabilities or Mental Health problems. 1 property has been used to create a staff office and overnight accommodation to enable an onsite support service to the people living at the scheme. A further 4 properties are used to provide Temporary Accommodation to homeless people.

The main aims of the scheme were to:

  • Provide a solution for immediate housing with support need in the area, particularly for working age adults with disabilities.
  • Provide “meanwhile use” for a vacant development site while long-term plans are developed.

Cited in the Housing LIN’s Housing and Care good practice guide for South West ADASS, this scheme is arranged around a central green space with parking, and borders playing fields leading on to the Wareham Common, giving most of the flats great views across green space and onto forest and fields.