The complex of flatlets facing the Bourne Eau on one side and the corner of Eastgate and Willoughby Road on the other is known as Worth Court and was an experiment in housing for the elderly when it opened in 1965 although it was some time before the system became accepted by the public.

The development was built over a period of three years on land that previously contained some of the oldest cottages in the Eastgate area which were cleared before building work began.

The original intention was to provide self-contained units in batches of four for single old people living alone, either those who were unmarried or had lost a partner, while at the same time retaining their independence. The development originally contained 16 units and was built by Bourne Urban District Council at a cost of £30,000, but was extended over the next two years with the addition of Owen Court, until the total number of flatlets reached 38 at a final cost of around £70,000.

The system was similar to that already being adopted by other local authorities in Britain to provide accommodation for elderly people living alone in council or private large three and four bedroom properties which would then be released into the mainstream housing market.

Each unit contained a bed sitting room, kitchen and toilet with a two-bedroom flat for a warden who could be contacted at any time by an alarm bell system in case of emergencies. There was also a guest bedroom set aside for anyone who wished to visit residents.

Heating and hot water was provided from a central solid fuel boiler unit and there was a communal room for social gatherings fitted with a television set and an adjoining kitchen to provide food for functions which was also available for use by tenants who could have their own TV sets linked to a central aerial. A laundry room was equipped with communal washing and drying machines while each flatlet had its own refrigerator, gas or electric cooker, and noise and thermal insulation had been incorporated in walls and ceilings. Facilities were provided outside for each tenant to store cycles and other equipment and the whole area was surrounded by lawns and landscaped with trees and shrubs.

There was some resistance to the idea when the council began to offer tenancies to local people and so Councillor Jack Burchnell, chairman of the housing committee, organised two open days on Saturday 12th and Saturday 19th December 1964 with councillors and officers on hand to explain to visitors exactly what they could expect when they moved in. Two of the flatlets had been finished completely, decorated and furnished by local firms, to enable visitors see what they would look like. The cost of furnishing to a comfortable standard was estimated at £150 for each.

“There is some misapprehension in the town over the purpose of this development”, he said. “This is not an old people’s home. There is a mistaken idea that those who move in will lose their independence but anyone living at Worth Court will be at liberty to run perfectly normal lives. There is no timetable of hours when they come and go and retire but there are facilities to meet other residents if they feel lonely.

“Each tenant will have their own key and will be completely in charge of their own unit and no one else will be allowed access without invitation. We have had acceptances for tenancies but some have been withdrawn because they have heard there will be communal feeding and this is not the case. When potential tenants come and see for themselves they will be pleasantly surprised. In fact, living conditions are so good that several council members are thinking of putting their names down for a flatlet.”

The Earl of Ancaster was asked to perform the official opening on 30^th January 1965 but he was unable to attend because of a previous engagement in London and so Councillor J K Mason, chairman of BUDC, officiated instead.

The flatlets were soon fully occupied and remained so for many years but in 1974, administration passed to South Kesteven District Council under the reorganisation of local government and the new owners did not maintain the properties as they should have done. They were not upgraded as the years went by to keep pace with modern developments and this lack of investment became apparent in 2005 when the authority was considering new government guidelines requiring local authority landlords to meet its Decent Homes Standard by 2010 which would mean high expenditure on refitting sub-standard kitchens and bathrooms and other refurbishments.

This would have involved high expenditure at Worth Court and so the council decided to demolish it and build a new complex on the site with ownership passing to a housing association. The scheme was originally turned down by the Department of Housing but a year later approval was given and occupancy was run down in readiness for demolition to enable construction begin.

Towards the end of December 2006, the first phase was completed. Steve Cullington, care service manager for SKDC, said: “The new development has come about because we cannot meet the needs of a growing and increasingly frail group of people. Some of our sheltered housing is not well suited to residents with problems of mobility and the ability to plan and design a new development to meet these specific requirements, with input from older people and their representatives, will significantly enhance the provision.”

He added: “This development represents a very good deal for the council as its only contribution will be the cost of the land which is about £350,000. We will have first pick of the tenants who are moved in and the district will benefit from enhanced provision for the frail and elderly.”

The first meeting SKDC’s supported housing manager, Steve Cullington, had with residents to discuss the council’s plans to replace the old buildings with the purpose built £4 million extra care scheme took place on 13 December, 2004. The first tenant moved out in February 2005 and the last tenant vacated her flat on 10th December, 2006.

Mr Cullington said: “We have consulted with and supported residents and their families at every stage. The housing allocations team has successfully done what we said we would do from the start – move 27 elderly and vulnerable tenants to new homes to make way for the new development. Depending on full planning approval, work is due to start in January 2007. By spring 2008, Bourne will have a first class supported housing development. The new scheme will be about providing extra care services.”

Work began on schedule but fell behind although was nearing completion by the summer of 2008.

The new development with a final cost of £3.6 million consists of 34 two-bedroom flats compared to 38 bedsits in the old property. Additional communal facilities include a restaurant, laundry and hairdresser, as well as storage and charging areas for mobility scooters and staff on duty for 24 hours to provide additional care. The aim of the project is to help elderly people maintain their independence for as long as they can with appropriate levels of care and support. The scheme is a partnership between South Kesteven District Council and Lincoln-based Lace Housing Association. SKDC has contributed the land and the association provided £2.6 million towards the cost of the project but the council will have the right to nominate new tenants from the housing waiting list.