Planning permission has been granted for a new, 77-bed development in Coalville, specifically designed for over-55s, representing a major step forward in the town’s masterplan. Multi-disciplinary design practice, rg+p Ltd has secured planning consent for the redevelopment of land next to Baker Street in the North Leicestershire town. Working with Geda Construction for Trent & Dove, the practice has designed a proposal that will transform disused and vacant industrial land into a contemporary development to meet the growing housing needs of our ageing population. Made up of 77 one- and two-bed affordable social rent apartments, the project also features residents’ lounges, guest accommodation, lobby, office space, buggy store, parking and extensive landscaping, including a spectacular sunken garden. rg+p’s design was inspired by Coalville’s industrial heritage, as lead architect, Sarah Grocock explains: “Our material choices focused on red brick and clay tiles to provide a connection with Coalville’s industrial past, but the design introduces familiar shapes such as feature gables to soften the scheme and give it a residential feel. “Different streetscapes define character areas throughout the building and help signal the transition between public, semi-private and private space. We also sought to harness the level change within the site to create meaningful amenity space, with the sunken garden providing a focal point for this,” adds Sarah. The approved scheme includes new access arrangements, including an extension of Linden Way which North West Leicestershire District Council received funding to provide, sustainable drainage systems and high-quality landscaping that will deliver a significant biodiversity net gain. It will also provide built-in, permanent nest brick and bat roost brick features, bee bricks and invertebrate hibernaculum. Sarah continues: “Securing planning permission for this site represents a significant milestone for our work on the wider Coalville masterplan, which also encompasses the neighbouring Wolsey Road development. “A ProCon Award finalist last year, Wolsey Road has already delivered 77 high quality, affordable homes and helped established a thriving new community in the town. It’s therefore exciting that this latest consent allows us to build on that success and continue to play a meaningful role in Coalville’s ongoing regeneration,” concludes Sarah. Charlie Riley, Development Director, Trent & Dove adds: “rg+p’s design for this brownfield site will connect seamlessly with the wider regeneration and retain a sense of individuality. They have been aligned with our vision for this development, and we look forward to delivering much-needed homes and employment opportunities for the town.” Construction at Baker Street is expected to start soon. The wider project team includes Arcadis (Employer’s Agent); BSP Consulting (Civil, Structure and Highways Engineer); Langcroft (Developer) and William Saunders (Highways Engineer – Link Road). Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Specialist business property adviser, Christie & Co, has announced the sale of a development site in Widnes, Cheshire, with planning consent for a 60-bed care home. Once built, the care home will comprise 60 bedrooms with en suite, wetroom facilities, a cinema, a hair salon, a choice of lounge and dining rooms, and landscaped gardens. The strategic site, which fronts onto Warrington Road, has been cleared and is ready for development. It benefits from a central location in Widnes, within easy distance of the shopping centres, market, and A577 and A533. Planning consent was achieved in November 2024 by Care Developments Limited, which identified the site’s potential for elderly care use. Following an open sales process with Will Edwards at Christie & Co, the consented site has been sold to Dr Sanjay Agarwal of large regional care home operator, Danan Group.  David Wormald, Director at Care Developments Limited, comments, “I want to wish Sanjay and his team all the best with progressing this development.” Dr Sanjay Agarwal, Director at Danan Group, comments, “This acquisition marks another key step in Danan Group’s growth. We look forward to delivering a scheme that the community can be proud of.” Will Edwards, Senior Broker – Healthcare Development & Investment at Christie & Co, comments, “I’m pleased to have been able to assist in the disposal of this site to Danan Group, who are a highly respected regional operator that will bring excellent care to a largely undersupplied region of the UK. We look forward to working with Sanjay and his team as they continue the growth of their portfolio and increase their offering to residents in the North West.”   The site was sold for an undisclosed price. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Building work is underway on a £20.7 million later living apartment development in Bradford, with Caddick Construction commencing works on Ashfield Mills on behalf of housing provider Anchor. The scheme, located on Ashfield Road in Idle, will deliver 75 apartments for older people and includes a range of communal amenities, car parking and landscaped areas. Anchor is England’s largest not-for-profit provider of housing and care for people in later life. With construction now in progress, Caddick Construction is increasing activity on site. The contractor said this will include initiatives aimed at supporting the local community, alongside training and employment opportunities. The development is scheduled for completion in 2027. Caddick was appointed to the project through the NEPO Construction Works framework, providing Anchor with a streamlined procurement route to deliver new homes in the city. Ashfield Mills further strengthens Caddick’s presence in Bradford following its delivery of One City Park for development partners Muse and Bradford Council. The 56,403 sq ft scheme was the city’s first Grade A office development in 20 years and includes five floors of office space and a roof terrace. Steve Ford, Regional Managing Director, Caddick Construction North East & Yorkshire commented: “We’re proud to have been appointed to deliver Anchor’s latest later living complex and for work to be progressing on site. This new development will offer residents independent living with the peace of mind that comes from a supportive community environment. Building on our experience in the later living sector, we will work in collaboration with our partners and supply chain to successfully bring this development to life.” Victoria Mager, Director of Development Delivery, added: “This scheme represents an important investment in high-quality homes for older people in Bradford. Our ambition is to create welcoming, modern places that help residents stay connected and live well for longer. Working with Caddick, we’re looking forward to delivering a development that supports both individual independence and a strong sense of community.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Specialist senior living developer Charterpoint has submitted planning applications for two new care homes, marking the start of the year with an expansion of its portfolio. The proposed developments are located in Gedling, near Nottingham, and to the north of Peterborough. Both schemes are designed as modern, three-storey care homes with 80 en-suite bedrooms, lounges, dining rooms, activity areas, and additional resident facilities. Charterpoint CEO Adrian Goose said: “As a specialist in the senior living and care home sector, Charterpoint is very pleased to have applied for planning permission for two additional care homes to add to our portfolio. “We have a strong track record of developing best in class care homes—identifying areas where there is demand for such facilities, designing attractive buildings, and securing planning permission for the developments. We are delighted to have now submitted plans to Gedling Borough Council and to Peterborough City Council for two further care homes.” The Gedling care home is proposed for a site off Lambley Lane, which has been identified for residential use in Gedling Borough Council’s Local Plan. The design, by KWL Architects, includes 80 en-suite bedrooms, lounges, dining areas, activity and hobby rooms, a café, and a hairdresser, with access via an improved entrance off Lambley Lane. The Peterborough care home, designed by Anotherkind Architects, will feature en-suite bedrooms, residents’ lounges, dining areas, a cinema, a hairdresser, a café/bistro opening onto a terrace, and activity rooms. The site, to be accessed from Newborough Road, will also include spacious gardens, patios, communal terraces on the first and second floors, and 33 car parking spaces for staff and visitors. Charterpoint Managing Director Giles Nursey said: “Our proposed new care home is in an area of Peterborough which is experiencing significant and rapid local growth, where a care home would be a tremendous asset to the community. “This care home would offer yet another best in class asset in an easily accessible and visible site, responding to this locally recognised need.” Charterpoint worked with planning consultants P&DG on the Peterborough proposals. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Eric Wright Construction has completed the first care home, Castlewood in Clitheroe, for client Wrightcare.  The £14m development comprises 68 en-suite bedrooms with shared living spaces including lounges, dining and kitchen facilities, a café and bar area, hair salon and multiple wellness and activity spaces, supported by integrated technologies to enhance resident care and safety.   James Eager, director of Eric Wright Construction commented “We are proud to handover Castlewood to our client, Wrightcare, on time and on budget. As this is a full turnkey project, our team has ensured that every aspect has been delivered to the highest standards to provide a high-quality, comfortable and safe environment for residents and employees.  “Working collaboratively with our consultants, supply chain partners, sub-contractors, and the client team, we successfully addressed a range of technical challenges, turning them into opportunities for innovation and continuous improvement. The valuable experience gained will further strengthen our approach as we also start to move forward with the construction of Wrightcare’s second care home in Lancashire.” Gill Chadwick, managing director for Wrightcare added “This is a significant milestone for Wrightcare, as we celebrate the handover of our first care home, Castlewood. “This is the beginning of creating a community founded on compassion, dignity and the very best person-centred care. I’m looking forward to the journey ahead and to welcoming our first residents.” Castlewood has been designed with a focus on maximising the outdoor spaces including a village green entrance to the property, with greenhouses and raised beds for residents who want to enjoy gardening and private patios to the ground floor apartments. Wrightcare, which is also part of the Eric Wright Group, plans to build, retain and operate a number of new care homes across the North West in the near future and the construction team is due to start on site with the second care home Brindlewood, Grimsargh near Preston. This second development will encompass a 72-bedroom care home, along with 48 bungalows that are being delivered by Applethwaite, also part of the Eric Wright Group.  The project team  included: Planning – Steve Abbott Associates, Lead Designer / Architect – Cassidy & Ashton, Civil & Structural – JP Structures, Landscape Architect – TEL Landscapes, MEP – TACE, Fire Engineering – Hoare Lea, Acoustics – Cundalls, Transport – Mode, Environmental – Envirotech, Building Control – Sweco. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

England’s largest not-for-profit later-living provider, Anchor, celebrated a key milestone – the topping out and the laying of the last tile on the roof of its newest affordable housing development on Melton Road in Edwalton. The event was attended by senior Anchor personnel, Homes England, and Rushcliffe Borough Council. Located in Nottingham, the development will provide 80 homes for rent, of which there will be 31 one-bedroom and 49 two-bedroom apartments available. Once open, the scheme will also provide future residents with various modern communal spaces, including beautifully landscaped gardens and a seated patio area. Anchor’s Executive Director of Development, Oli Boundy, said: “The topping out ceremony at Edwalton marks an important milestone for both Anchor and the development. It will deliver much needed, high-quality, affordable accommodation to support older people in the local community. We would like to thank Vistry, Homes England, and Rushcliffe Borough Council for their support and co-operation in helping us reach this stage.” James Warrington, Executive Chair (North, South Midlands and East Division) at Vistry Group, added: “Reaching this milestone with our partners Anchor, Homes England, and Rushcliffe Borough Council is a proud moment for everyone involved. These new apartments in Edwalton represent our commitment to delivering high-quality, affordable homes which are tailored to the needs of those entering their later years. By working together, we’re not only addressing the urgent need for later living accommodation, but also helping to build a vibrant, inclusive community where residents can truly thrive.” Lewis Young, Senior Manager – Affordable Housing Delivery at Homes England, commented: “As the Government’s housing and regeneration agency, increasing the supply of quality affordable homes remains one of our key objectives and we are committed to supporting ambitious housebuilders of all sizes to build those homes and communities. “This investment through the Affordable Homes Programme does just that, enabling Anchor to build 80 much needed new homes the people of Rushcliffe can be proud of.” Councillor Roger Upton, Portfolio Holder for Planning & Housing at Rushcliffe Borough Council, said: “Anchor has worked closely with the local community throughout the building of this development, which is a testament of its commitment to providing homes for later living that suit the demand and changing needs of the older population in our area. I look forward to seeing the developing relationship between Anchor and their residents and witnessing the growth of a thriving older community.” For more information about the development please visit https://www.anchor.org.uk/edwalton. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

McAleer & Rushe has been appointed as principal contractor to deliver a £42.7 million retirement living development on the former Biothane plant site in Kew, London. Working on behalf of Elysian Residences, the project, known as The Watermark, involves the construction of 88 apartments across a series of buildings, set within landscaped gardens along the riverside. The scheme also includes associated access roads, car parking, amenity spaces, and ancillary works. Patrick Coyle, Project Director at McAleer & Rushe, commented: “We are delighted to be partnering with Elysian Residences on this landmark development in Kew. The Watermark represents an exciting addition to our later living portfolio, showcasing our expertise in delivering complex, high-end residential schemes that combine quality, comfort, and community. We look forward to working closely with our clients, partners, and supply chain to create an exceptional living environment for homeowners and make a lasting, positive contribution to the wider Kew area.” Gavin Stein, Chief Executive Officer, Elysian Residences, added: “We are delighted to be partnering with McAleer & Rushe on The Watermark in Kew. This landmark development reflects our commitment to creating exceptional retirement living, combining outstanding design, luxury amenities and a welcoming community. In its riverside setting, The Watermark will offer an unparalleled lifestyle, and we look forward to providing homeowners with the very best hospitality and support.” Designed to combine the independence of private living with exceptional hospitality and care, The Watermark will be located just a short walk from Kew Gardens and Kew Village. Works are now underway, with McAleer & Rushe delivering the main contract through to completion in Spring 2027. The project further strengthens McAleer & Rushe’s reputation for delivering high-quality residential and later living developments across the UK. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Plans to deliver 124 much-needed Extra Care apartments in South Shields have this week been given the green light by South Tyneside’s planning committee. The much-needed specialist accommodation, to be developed by Karbon Homes in partnership with South Tyneside Council, will be built on the site of the former Chuter Ede school and Ede Community Association. The scheme has been designed to help people with differing levels of care and support needs to live well and independently for longer. 25 of the apartments are specifically designed for people living with dementia. Zoey Hawthorne, Assistant Director of Development Delivery at Karbon Homes, said: “It’s great to have the backing of the South Tyneside Council planning committee to bring this exciting, much-needed scheme to fruition. “This project represents a major commitment from us to provide affordable, high-quality homes in the borough, a modern and welcoming place to live for residents with a number of socially-focused features to help facilitate community cohesion. “We have a great working relationship with South Tyneside’s Adult Social Care and Commissioning, who we have worked with on a number of housing projects that support adults with care and support needs. We look forward to further developing this relationship with them as we take this next project forward.” Karbon has worked with Tyne and Wear based JDDK Architects on the design, with apartments sitting across four storeys laid out around a central communal courtyard. The scheme will be highly energy efficient, with heating and hot water to be powered by air source heat pumps, with additional energy generated through roof mounted solar PV panels. The scheme will also have multi-use spaces for activities, which will be open for community groups to use, alongside a bistro café open to the general public. Bringing more housing of this type to the local authority area forms part of the Council’s wider Adult Social Care Accommodation Strategy, aimed at supporting people who may need care and support to live independently in the community. Cllr Tracey Dixon, Leader of South Tyneside Council, said: “I’m delighted this development has been given planning permission. “We continue to invest in affordable accommodation that reflects the needs and wants of our communities and allows people to live with dignity and independence in the heart of their communities in a place they can call home. “I’m really looking forward to watching this new facility take shape.” Karbon has appointed Robertson Construction North East as the lead contractor for the project. It will be the second Extra Care facility built by Robertson for Karbon and South Tyneside Council, the first being a 95-apartment scheme in Hebburn town centre. Its delivery will be part-funded by Homes England, through Karbon’s Strategic Partnership with the Government’s housing delivery agency. This strategic partnership is supporting Karbon to deliver 2,324 new affordable homes across the North East and Yorkshire by 2028, 10% of which will be new homes for people requiring additional support needs. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Planning permission has been granted for a 66-bedroom care home at Vistry’s Westcombe Park development in Heybridge, near Maldon, Essex. The new facility will be operated by LNT Care Developments and delivered in partnership with specialist developer Charterpoint and Vistry, the master developer of Westcombe Park. The three-storey care home will offer a range of modern amenities for residents and visitors, including en-suite wet rooms, lounges, dining areas, a café, a sky bar, a cinema, a hair salon, and dedicated staff facilities. The site will also include 32 parking spaces, two of which are accessible, and six electric vehicle charging stations. Ambulance and taxi drop-off points are part of the design, along with 16 cycle spaces and secure mobility scooter storage and charging areas. Designed to provide both general residential and dementia care, the home will feature landscaped gardens with direct access for residents, promoting outdoor activity and wellbeing. The majority of the building’s energy needs will be met through on-site renewable sources, including ground source heating and rooftop photovoltaic panels, supported by battery storage to capture surplus energy. Giles Nursey, Managing Director of Charterpoint, said: “We are very pleased to have received planning permission to build a modern care home at Westcombe Park to provide first-class care facilities for the local community. As a specialist developer who has delivered numerous care home schemes across the country, we are proud to be part of the team creating important facilities at this exciting garden suburb and feel sure that this care home will be a key community asset.” The care home forms a central part of the wider Westcombe Park masterplan, which is designed to support residents at all stages of life. The new neighbourhood will feature a mix of homes to suit various affordability levels, and includes plans for a new neighbourhood centre comprising later-living apartments, a health centre, convenience store, retail units, and a day nursery. Martin Leach, Managing Director at Vistry Strategic Land & Major Projects, said: “The provision of a first-class care facility is a valuable addition for Westcombe Park, forming part of our wider ambition to create a well-rounded neighbourhood with the mix of homes, facilities and infrastructure that communities need. We are very pleased to be working in partnership with Charterpoint and LNT to provide this fantastic facility for the residents of Maldon.” The care home will be built by LNT and operated by its sister company, Crystal Care Collection. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals