A new chapter in later living has been approved for Brent Cross Town, as Barnet Council grants planning permission for a major retirement living development by Audley Group and Senior Living Investment Partners. The approved plans will see the delivery of a 10-storey building comprising 148 high-quality apartments designed specifically for residents over 60. This will mark the first retirement community within the 180-acre Brent Cross Town regeneration — one of Europe’s most ambitious urban renewal projects, being delivered by Related Argent in partnership with Barnet Council. The development, valued at £8 billion, is already reshaping this area of north-west London, with thousands of new homes, expansive office space, schools, parks, and a vibrant high street in the pipeline. With two residential buildings already completed and occupied, the community is beginning to take shape. Audley’s new scheme will operate under its Mayfield Villages brand, known for its contemporary, wellness-focused approach to retirement living. It will also be the brand’s first location in the capital and only the second in its portfolio. Residents will benefit from 17,000 sq ft of shared amenities, including a health and wellbeing centre, landscaped gardens, a village hall, and a café-bistro that will be open to the public, encouraging community interaction. The project is being delivered in partnership with Senior Living Investment Partners, a £200 million joint venture between Octopus Real Estate and Pension Insurance Corporation. Nick Sanderson, chief executive of Audley Group, commented: “Planning approval for the new Mayfield Village at Brent Cross Town is a fantastic step forward. The demand for specialist retirement living properties isn’t slowing down and it’s important we give more people more choice over how and where they live as they get older. Mayfield Brent Cross will become an important part of the vibrant intergenerational community being created in this area of London.” Tom Goodall, chief executive of Related Argent, added: “We are delighted that the first retirement living homes at Brent Cross Town have been given the go-ahead. This builds on the continued inward investment secured over the last 12 months and accelerates our bold vision to create an intergenerational community with diverse housing options. We look forward to bringing this vibrant new project to life with industry leaders Audley Group.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Pivot is pleased to announce the completion of a £4.1 million development exit facility to Torsion Care, supporting the stabilisation and sale of a completed retirement living scheme in Thornton-Cleveleys, Lancashire. The loan is secured against 29 self-contained one- and two-bedroom apartments at Royles Lodge, a purpose-built retirement development for residents aged 55 and over. The modern development sits within the wider Marsh Mill Village, a picturesque and well-established leisure and residential destination close to the Fylde Coast. The development reached practical completion in 2023 and offers high-specification, age-exclusive accommodation. The funding enables Torsion Care to refinance its original development facility while allowing time to execute a dual-track strategy of unit sales and long-term lettings. Twelve units have already been sold to date, with a dedicated on-site sales team now in place and marketing across multiple platforms. The transaction showcases Pivot’s commitment to working with experienced developers on complex transitional assets, where income stabilisation and a structured repayment strategy are key. It also reflects Pivot’s dedication to supporting schemes that positively impact local communities and provide high-quality housing. By backing developers like Torsion Care, Pivot plays an active role in delivering well-designed homes that enable independent living and contribute to long-term community wellbeing. Martin Hutson of Torsion Care, commented: “We’re delighted to partner with Pivot on this transaction. Their understanding of the retirement living sector and ability to tailor a structure around both sales and lettings gives us the flexibility to maximise value at Royles Lodge. We’re also pleased to deliver another high-quality scheme that meets growing demand for independent living options for over-55s.” Andreas Yianni, Commercial Director at Pivot, added: “It’s a pleasure to support Torsion Care, a highly capable operator with a growing track record in the care and retirement living sector. This deal reflects our appetite to fund completed, high-quality schemes and committed sponsor. We’re proud to play a role in bringing more housing to the market that is tailored to supportive living.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Work has started on a brand new £6 million 60-bedroom care home at Clifton Moor near York. Lime Trees is due to open in 2026 and will offer residential, dementia, respite and day care. Located off Shipton Road in Clifton, the new luxurious care home is being developed by Yorkshire and Lincolnshire-based construction firm Hobson & Porter for Yorkare Homes, whose headquarters is in Brough. This marks the ninth collaboration between the two companies, and the new facility will be Yorkare’s sixteenth care home to open across Yorkshire and Lincolnshire. Work to demolish the Lime Trees Medical Centre, which previously occupied the site, began at the end of 2024. As part of the development, Yorkare has generously gifted a parcel of land to the neighbouring York Sports Club, allowing for the creation of additional new pitches. Nicola Anderson, Marketing and Community Engagement Manager at Yorkare, said: “Breaking ground on Lime Trees is a significant milestone for us. Our development will transform a disused site into a vibrant space, providing much-needed residential care to people in the Clifton area of York and beyond, while also creating around 80 new jobs. The fact that we’ve been able to contribute to the delivery of vital community sports facilities at the same time makes this a win for everyone.” Lime Trees will offer a warm and welcoming environment for residents, featuring 20 en-suite rooms on each of its three floors. One floor will be dedicated exclusively to dementia care, ensuring specialised support for those who need it. The home will also include a variety of well-designed communal spaces and first-class amenities, providing both residents and their visitors with comfortable, enjoyable spaces to relax and connect. Nicola shared: “We aim to create a nurturing and comfortable atmosphere where everyone feels valued and cared for, making it a truly special place for both residents and the local community. Our facility will feature two in-house bars, including one with a barista station, alongside restaurant standard dining rooms, a beauty and hairdressing salon, a cinema, a bowls green, a greenhouse with raised garden beds, and outdoor terraced balconies offering views of the grounds. It will truly feel like a home away from home, complete with a wide range of exceptional on-site amenities.” Richard Hunter, from Hobson & Porter, said: “We are thrilled to be building our ninth home for Yorkare. Last summer we completed our eighth project for the company in less than 10 years – Haxby Hall. The £10million, 63-bedroom care home in Haxby, that’s four miles north of York city centre, has proved so popular with residents and we are confident Lime Trees will be just as successful. “The home will have all the latest sustainable features, including solar panels and high-efficiency heating and hot water systems, and we plan to build an EPC ‘A’ and BREEAM ‘Excellent’ rated building. All the rooms have en-suite wet rooms and emergency call systems, and the ground-floor bedrooms have doors leading out to private patio areas. It’s going to be a fabulous home which will become a landmark in Clifton Moor when work completes early next year.” For more information about the development visit www.yorkarehomes.co.uk Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

RED Construction Group, the specialist main contractor, has announced the appointment of its London division on the second phase of The Sheppard Trust’s redevelopment of the former Royal Cambridge Home site, an independent living facility located in East Molesey, Surrey. Valued at £21.8 million and spanning 62,000 sq ft, phase two works focuses on the creation of a new facility, Elizabeth Court, to deliver high-quality and fully functioning living spaces, created by architects PRP. The project includes the demolition of buildings comprising the former Royal Cambridge Home, and the construction of a new 61-bedroom independent living facility in its place. The new accommodation will come equipped with apartments specially designed to support independent living with support and care when it is needed, alongside communal areas, garden spaces, and parking. This appointment follows the completion by RED Construction London of phase one of the project. To ensure a seamless transition, the first phase involved the creation of a 32-bed care home adjacent to the Royal Cambridge Home. In August 2024, upon completion the residents moved into the new building, allowing for the commencement of phase 2 demolition and the creation of Elizabeth Court in its place. RED Construction London worked closely with The Sheppard Trust, the client team, and stakeholders at Royal Cambridge Home, and will be continuing this partnership into phase two, which is expected to complete June 2026. Mark Iori, Managing Director of RED Construction London, commented: “The appointment of RED Construction London for this second phase redevelopment is testament to the power of partnership, the high standards we consistently deliver, and our ability to working with a variety of stakeholders. We understand the challenges that comes with a site neighbouring an inhabited building, and The Sheppard Trust know we will deliver this with respect and consideration for the residents, as we did for phase one. This is a project that will have a positive impact on the people who ultimately come to live here, and that makes it incredibly rewarding to work on.” Clare Scott Booth, Chief Executive of The Sheppard Trust, added: “Our decision to once again partner with RED Construction Group was an easy one to make, having already shown the standard and efficiency to which they completed phase one of this redevelopment. This project in itself is especially significant in that it demands the construction of a first-class facility that meets modern requirements, and also there is a very active community that will benefit. We are pleased to be able to move forward with such confidence in the project and are appreciative of the bespoke and considered approach we have come to know is synonymous with RED Construction Group.” Following the completion of the phase one works, residents were quickly able to move into the new Royal Cambridge Home, which provide the high quality facilities and world class care The Sheppard Trust are known for. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Englishcombe Lane Development: A Landmark Supported Living Project for Adults with Autism and Learning Difficulties Gains Approval  Arcadis, in collaboration with Bath & North East Somerset Council (B&NES), has achieved planning permission for a ground-breaking development at Englishcombe Lane, Bath.  Arcadis provided a fully integrated, multidisciplinary service to Bath and North East Somerset Council (B&NES) including Planning Consultancy, Project Management, Architecture and Landscape Design, Ecology, Infrastructure Design, Geotechnical Advisory, Engagement and Social Value and Transport Planning.   The project will see the creation of 16 specialist supported living homes for adults with autism and/or learning difficulties, alongside a communal hub, carefully designed to integrate with the surrounding landscape and community.   The development is a vital response to the growing demand for supported living accommodations in Bath and Northeast Somerset. It will help reduce the need for out-of-area placements, offering residents the opportunity to live within their community in a supportive and inclusive environment.  Described by the local planning authority as “exemplary,” the scheme has been recognised for its “immense” social value. It has the potential to serve as a model for supported living environments, designed to bring together residents, their carers, and families in a nurturing, nature-connected setting.  The Englishcombe Lane development places resident well-being and connecting people with nature at the heart of its design. The layout, which includes clusters of homes arranged around inward-facing courtyards, provides a secure and serene environment. Level paths connect terraced spaces, ensuring accessibility for all, while the landscaping creates a sensory experience tailored to the needs of residents.    The homes, a mix of one-bed bungalows, split-level two-bed, and three-bed dwellings, are crafted to offer flexibility and adaptability. These features allow residents to live independently with appropriate care and support, including accommodations for overnight carers and office spaces for staff.  The success of the project stems from a highly collaborative effort, with significant community engagement and specialist input shaping the final design. Arcadis worked closely with local services, delivering a Designing for Neurodiversity webinar in collaboration with the Neurodiversity in Planning Network, and incorporating feedback from sustainability training sessions. Volunteers from Arcadis and B&NES also contributed by refurbishing Moorlands Park in Bath, reinforcing the project’s positive impact on the community.   With sustainability at the forefront of the design and planning process, the development is anticipated to deliver a 20% Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG), exceeding local and national policy requirements.  The scheme, a collaborative effort by Arcadis and B&NES not only addresses immediate housing needs but also ensures a long-term, sustainable future for its residents. The development promises to enhance the quality of life for individuals with autism and/or learning difficulties by providing them with a tranquil, well-integrated space for independent living.  Gemma Care, Technical Director, Arcadis, comments:   “We are thrilled to see the Englishcombe Lane project receive planning approval. This development is a true reflection of how thoughtful design, proactive planning and meaningful engagement can transform lives, providing a safe, sustainable, and inclusive environment for individuals with autism and learning difficulties.”  Nick Plumley, Development Lead, Bath & North East Somerset Council, comments:   “We are proud to have reached this important milestone in what is an ambitious project on a challenging site.  The project directly supports the Corporate Strategy mission to improve people’s lives by providing the right homes in the right places”.    Our belief is that the built environment is a material factor in the wellbeing of people.  This carefully designed scheme will better enable people to reach their full potential by providing greater choice and control over where and how to live, as set out in our Fulfilling and Rewarding Lives Autism Strategy”.  Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Octopus Real Estate, a specialist real estate investor and lender under the Octopus Investments umbrella, has announced a £40 million investment to fund the development of three high-quality, purpose-built care homes in partnership with Torwood Care. This initiative will expand the Octopus Healthcare Fund’s (OHF) portfolio, which already comprises over 100 homes. The three new care homes, strategically located in Durham, Worksop, and Bradford, will collectively offer over 200 beds, each with private wet rooms. Operating under the Tanglewood Care brand, the homes are designed with sustainability at their core. They will be fully electric, powered by air source heat pumps and equipped with solar panels. Each home targets a BREEAM ‘Excellent’ certification, supporting the Fund’s environmental, social, and governance (ESG) goals and its commitment to achieving net zero carbon emissions. These facilities represent the third, fourth, and fifth developments in a seven-home forward funding portfolio between Octopus Real Estate and Torwood Care, a joint venture partnership involving Torsion Care and Tanglewood Care. The three new homes are expected to open their doors in the first half of 2026. Expert Collaboration Driving Excellence Max Weitzmann, Investment Director for Care Homes at Octopus Real Estate, commented:“We’re delighted to deepen our partnership with Torwood Care, a highly respected operator. These three developments, totalling over 200 new beds, highlight our commitment to creating sustainable, high-quality homes that meet the needs of an evolving society. We’re excited to continue addressing the critical undersupply of care beds across the UK.” Nick Kempster, Director of Torwood Care, added:“At Torwood, we believe everyone deserves a home that supports their individual needs. These developments reflect our dedication to providing outstanding care in comfortable and welcoming environments. Collaborating with Octopus Real Estate enables us to deliver on this vision.” Martin Hutson, Director at Torsion Care, expressed enthusiasm for the project, saying:“Securing this funding from Octopus Real Estate allows us to bring three exceptional care schemes to life. In a challenging market, we’re committed to expanding our portfolio and delivering homes that set a benchmark for quality and sustainability.” Commitment to a Greener Future Octopus Real Estate’s pledge to achieve net zero for new care home developments by 2030 is complemented by significant investment into retrofitting its existing portfolio of over 100 properties across the UK. These initiatives aim to enhance energy efficiency and reduce carbon footprints across the board, positioning Octopus as a leader in sustainability within the care home sector. With its innovative approach and a strong emphasis on sustainability, this £40 million partnership between Octopus Real Estate and Torwood Care underscores their shared mission to meet the growing demand for care home facilities while championing environmental responsibility. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

New 52-unit development 40% reserved on opening day, giving it a thriving community on day one and surpassing previous pre-let rates in its portfolio Birchgrove, the UK’s leading provider of rented retirement homes, has now opened its latest development in Surrey with an impressive 40% of the apartments already reserved off-plan. The 52-unit Pepperpot House development in Godalming is set in the heart of the historic market town on a 1.02-acre plot that was previously home to Mole Country Stores, a site which had stood empty since September 2017. As part of the redevelopment, the Grade II-listed Cowshed at the entrance to the site was fully restored to provide two one-bed apartments. The community offers high-quality one and two-bed self-contained rented apartments to independently minded people over 65. Communal facilities include a 24-hour concierge service, café/restaurant, licensed bar, wellness suite, salon and landscaped roof terrace with a lounge offering views over Godalming to the Surrey Hills. The 40% pre-let rate of Pepperpot House exceeds Birchgrove’s previous record for the percentage of apartments reserved prior to opening, with its Lower Mill development in Ewell, Surrey having been 36% reserved when it opened in May 2022. Honor Barratt, Chief Executive of Birchgrove, said:“We’re delighted that so many of the apartments at Pepperpot House have been snapped up in advance of opening. It helps that we were able to secure such a central location and we’re really pleased to have been able to bring a disused site back to life. “We also know that much of the reason for our off-plan success here is that we were able to show prospective residents our other thriving local communities to give them an idea of what it’s like to live in one of our developments. We believe we’re firmly on a roll now and are confident we can achieve even higher pre-let rates as we roll our successful rental retirement living model out further across the country.” The development is the fifth addition to open since the Birchgrove portfolio was founded in 2017. Birchgrove also operates four other retirement communities in the South-East, with one of these now at full capacity and operating a waiting list. Among its operational developments is the recently opened Ayrton House in Mill Hill, Birchgrove’s first community in Greater London. It also has four additional communities under construction, with new locations being developed in Hampton, Leatherhead, Banstead and Chiswick. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

A much-needed £11.9m ‘Extra Care’ development in Shropshire has been completed and handed over to The Wrekin Housing Group – eight months ahead of schedule. Keon Homes, which is working on similar schemes at William Farr House in Shrewsbury and Streethay in Lichfield, highlighted the unprecedented achievement at a special open day for existing and future clients. The affordable homes and social housing specialist has taken just twenty months to build the 70-strong mix of one and two-bed apartments, with private gardens and a communal café. Ideally situated just a ten-minute walk into the market town of Newport, Queenswood will provide high quality living space and wraparound care and support for people over the age of 55. Speaking at the event Matt Beckley, Partnerships Director at Keon Homes, said: “Although we have a team that are experienced in terms of Extra Care, this is our first foray into the market as a company. And what a success it has been, with the site handed over to the highest standards and eight months early…that’s unheard of in this sector. “Queenswood has been a remarkable story from the very start, where we worked together with a master developer to unlock a complex parcel of land for this type of development. In turn, it meant the entire site could be built out.” He continued: “This approach is something we are rolling out to other open market housebuilders. Many don’t want to construct Extra Care schemes as they aren’t their ‘bread and butter’, but increasingly the big masterplans call for older people’s accommodation to be present. In essence, we can work with them to get an operational partner in line and solve a problem.” More than 50 people were present at the special open day, enjoying a guided tour of the landscaped gardens and the new apartments and communal spaces at the Queenswood scheme. They heard how Keon Homes has used a mix of traditional and modern construction methods in the build, including concrete floor plans manufactured offsite and 200mm think hollow core floor plans throughout the building, all topped with an acoustic Isorubber layer. This approach achieved the dual benefit of reducing build time by eight months and providing an EPC ’A’ energy rating through the communal areas. IP-based assistive technology has also been incorporated throughout the building, including warden call systems, fall alarms, wandering alarms and door access controls. Matt went on to add: “The strength of our relationship with The Wrekin Housing Group was paramount to the speed of completion, with both parties working in partnership to build the highest quality Extra Care space for the people of Newport. “We also wanted the development to have a real ‘local’ impact, with 50% of the entire project spend directed to suppliers within a 20-mile radius. “Other notable achievements, include 16 apprentices being employed on site throughout the duration of the build and 162 work placement hours completed, giving young people the opportunity to gain valuable experience of a possible career working in construction.” Simon Thompson, Director of Development at Wrekin Housing Group, said: “We’re delighted that works have been completed at Queenswood, our new extra care scheme delivered in partnership with Keon Homes. “We have made a firm commitment to deliver quality homes that people can be proud of and there is a clear demand for affordable housing for the over 55s in Newport and the wider Telford and Wrekin area.  “This has been a great project to work on, from initial planning to handover, and I’d like to thank our partners at Keon Homes for their hard work in helping us to bring it to fruition. We’re now looking forward to welcoming our new tenants over the coming weeks.” Queenswood was recognised earlier this year in the NHBC Pride in the Job Awards, with Keon Homes’ Matt Wilkes named as the overall Regional Winner for the West in the Multi-Storey Builder category, following earlier securing the Quality and Seal of Excellence titles. For further information, please visit www.keonhomes.co.uk or follow the company across its social media channels. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals