A traditional 'topping out' ceremony has been held at two major construction sites which are to provide dozens of new care homes for Waltham Forest residents. 

Permission was granted by Waltham Forest Council back in 2012 for East Thames housing association to redevelop the outdated care homes in Flaxen Road and May Road, both in Chingford. 

The Verdon Roe Court development in Flaxen Road will comprise of 45 affordable homes designed for people to live independently but who still require some level of care and support.

There will be 24-hour on-site personal support and once completed in the summer of 2015, it will offer a range of communal facilities including a a therapy room, a large lounge area, a guest suite for visitors and electric scooter charging bays.

Building work reached a milestone this month with the completion of the structural frames at both sites.

A council ceremony has held at both of the developments on November 5 and 10.  

The May Road scheme will create eight supported homes for people mental health issues, six shared ownership homes and one affordable house.  

Cabinet member for Adult Services, Cllr Angie Bean said: "These supported homes will greatly benefit Waltham Forest residents with care needs.

"They have been designed to ensure local people can live as independently and actively as possible while offering them round the clock help with things like taking medication, cooking, cleaning and generally staying safe."

The authority-owned care home in Flaxen Road was shut in 2011 after the council claimed demand had fallen, but a cabinet report released in 2012 identified a shortfall of 75 places by 2015.