Site of former police station on Chiswick High Road to be redeveloped into 50-unit retirement community Birchgrove, the UK’s leading provider of rented retirement homes, has secured planning permission from Hounslow Council to redevelop the site of a former police station on Chiswick High Street into a fifty-unit retirement living
A new public consultation has been launched on the development of the UK’s first purpose-built and co-produced majority LGBTQ+ Extra Care housing scheme in Whalley Range, south Manchester. Proposed by Great Places, the development is planned for the site of the former Spire Hospital in Russell Road, Whalley Range, which
Later living developer-operator Untold Living has submitted plans to Eastbourne Borough Council for a 139-home seafront integrated retirement community (IRC). The mid-market retirement specialist, which is backed by Matter Real Estate, completed the acquisition of a prime 2.5-acre seafront site at Sovereign Harbour in November from Birch Limited, a Richardson
Leading retirement BTR developer’s Sidcup and Woking communities now operating Ready Lists Birchgrove, the UK’s leading provider of rented retirement homes, has announced that two of its three communities are now at full occupancy and operating Ready Lists as demand for rented retirement homes continues to soar, far outstripping supply.
Leading building and civil engineering contractor, Farrans Construction, has been appointed by Inspired Villages to begin construction of a £45m retirement community in Sonning Common, South Oxfordshire. Farrans’ first phase of works will include 73 high-quality, bespoke homes for over 65s and a state-of-the-art wellness suite within the village centre.
Work is complete on a stunning and luxurious new care home in Sleaford that offers 67-bedrooms alongside first-class amenities, with the first residents now moving into their new homes. Sleaford Manor is the latest development in Brough headquartered Yorkare’s portfolio of care homes which are located throughout Yorkshire and Lincolnshire.
Later living provider Anchor has recently announced the partners for its Development Consultancy framework helping to meet the not-for-profit provider’s ambitious plans to deliver 5,700 new homes over the next ten years. Anchor, England’s largest provider of specialist housing and care for people in later life, will deliver the schemes
Three landmark care homes in Derbyshire have finished pivotal works this summer to improve facilities for residents. Led by Midlands-based contractor, G F Tomlinson, and delivered for Derbyshire County Council through the Pagabo Refit and Refurbishment Framework, the works have included a range of improvements to bring the ageing buildings
Plans to deliver a cutting-edge Extra Care scheme in Hebburn Town Centre has been given the go ahead this week by South Tyneside Council’s planning committee. The £26million development from Karbon Homes will see 95 affordable homes developed on the site behind Hebburn Central, consisting of 20 two-bed and 75
A provider of rented retired homes has acquired an apartment development in London. Birchgrove has bought a total of 78 apartments in Hampton Court growing its portfolio across the South-East. The £39 million deal has been completed with Octagon Developments, who design and build high quality homes throughout Southern England.
Site of former police station on Chiswick High Road to be redeveloped into 50-unit retirement community Birchgrove, the UK’s leading provider of rented retirement homes, has secured planning permission from Hounslow Council to redevelop the site of a former police station on Chiswick High Street into a fifty-unit retirement living community. Originally opened in 1972, the police station at 209-211 Chiswick High Road closed in 2021 and was sold by the Metropolitan Police to Birchgrove in April 2022. Redevelopment plans were originally submitted later that year, and, following two public consultations, planning permission has now been granted. The new high-quality one and two-bed self-contained rented apartments will be available to rent to those aged 65 and over, with facilities including a 24-hour concierge service, restaurant, licenced bar, courtyard garden and wellness suite. The site has been designed to benefit the wider local community, with a dedicated space on the ground floor available for local groups, charities and individuals to hire, as well as for the police to hold local resident meetings. The police will also be provided with a separate dedicated facilities space which will enable officers to charge their body-worn cameras, iPads and radios, and means a police base will be re-established on the High Road following the station’s closure. The scheme will also provide a £400,000 contribution towards affordable housing in Hounslow, and has been assessed as highly sustainable – achieving a minimum 77% reduction in carbon emissions over the regulatory baseline. The approval of the new Birchgrove community comes as demand for retirement accommodation across Hounslow increases: based on the 2015 city-wide London plan, Hounslow has a target of 135 new specialist homes for elderly people per year, meaning the redevelopment of the police station site will play a vital role in tackling Hounslow’s retirement accommodation shortage. The approval also comes as demand for senior living rented accommodation continues to surge: according to the English Housing Survey, the number of pensioners in rented accommodation is set to double to over 1m in the next decade. Birchgrove currently operates three retirement communities across the South-East, with three further communities under construction and now available for rental off-plan, and three further London sites acquired (Chiswick, Hampton Court and Mill Hill). Honor Barratt, Chief Executive, Birchgrove said: “After almost two years of consultation we are thrilled to have secured planning permission, and I would like to thank everyone – including the council and local residents – for both their support and suggestions to ensure the development is the best it can be and does Chiswick justice.“All too often older people are shoved to the end of a cul-de-sac somewhere, but not here. With our development bang in the middle of Chiswick High Street, our residents will be able to flourish at the heart of the community.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
A new public consultation has been launched on the development of the UK’s first purpose-built and co-produced majority LGBTQ+ Extra Care housing scheme in Whalley Range, south Manchester. Proposed by Great Places, the development is planned for the site of the former Spire Hospital in Russell Road, Whalley Range, which was demolished in 2019 and the brownfield site has since remained vacant. The proposals for the majority Extra Care housing scheme have been developed with the input of the Russell Road Community Steering Group, Manchester City Council and LGBT Foundation. The planned scheme will deliver 80 one- and two-bedroom social rented apartments for older people in a brick building of four to five storeys. The low-carbon scheme will include shared facilities, lounges and treatment rooms and landscaped gardens which will look to ensure an overall net gain of trees on the site. Extra Care housing developments look to increase the affordable housing opportunities for older people to move into high quality accommodation, with flexible care and support services available to meet changing needs encouraging independent living. The residents will be required to be aged 55 years or over, with the majority of residents being members of the LGBTQ+ community from Manchester. Living alongside allies and other members of the local community, the aim is to provide an open and inclusive, physical and psychological place of safety for the older LGBTQ+ community and a welcome addition to the Whalley Range area. The site will also include a neighbouring separate shared ownership block consisting of around 40 apartments, a mix of 1 and 2 bed apartments, delivering affordable homes to first time buyers and eligible customers, helping to address emerging affordability issues in places such as Whalley Range. Residents will be able to see the plans and give their views at public consultation meetings at the site on Russell Road on Friday 12 January 2-8pm and Saturday 13 January from 12-2pm. Members of the local community will also be able to provide their views online by visiting https://ourvoice.greatplaces.org.uk/russell-road-your-views or by contacting Chris.Baldwin@greatplaces.org.uk by 8 March. Commenting on the launch of the consultation Helen Spencer, our Executive Director of Growth, said: “We are delighted to launch our public consultation for this exciting and innovative project, which aims to create the UK’s first purpose-built and co-produced LGBTQ+ Extra Care housing scheme in Whalley Range. “Russell Road will provide high-quality, affordable, and inclusive homes for older people who identify as LGBT+ or allies, as well as shared ownership opportunities for local residents. We believe this scheme will not only meet the specific needs and aspirations of the LGBT+ community, but also enhance the diversity and vibrancy of Whalley Range as a neighbourhood. “We look forward to hearing the views of the local community and working with our partners, Manchester City Council and LGBT Foundation, to make this vision a reality.” Cllr Gavin White, Manchester City Council’s executive member for housing and development, said: “This is landmark development for Manchester’s LGBTQ+ community and there has been a lot of interest in this development already. We know there is a gap in the market for affordable housing for older people where care needs are met onsite – and where they can feel accepted and live with dignity. “Critical to this project has been the co-production process with our community steering group that have helped guide the design principles for these homes to ensure they meet the needs of future residents. “Now it’s the time to present the proposals to the wider community – and I’d urge as many people as possible to take a look and give us their thoughts. This feedback really does help ensure developments like this complement and enhance our neighbourhoods.” Paul Martin, CEO at LGBT Foundation, said: “LGBT Foundation is proud to have been involved in the development of the LGBT+ majority Extra Care housing scheme in Whalley Range since it was proposed some years ago. “The views of the local community are key to making this development a success and we encourage people to use their voice to help shape the future of this landmark project, to ensure it offers a safe and welcoming home for older LGBT+ people.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Later living developer-operator Untold Living has submitted plans to Eastbourne Borough Council for a 139-home seafront integrated retirement community (IRC). The mid-market retirement specialist, which is backed by Matter Real Estate, completed the acquisition of a prime 2.5-acre seafront site at Sovereign Harbour in November from Birch Limited, a Richardson family company. Subject to planning consent, Untold Living will deliver an IRC comprising a range of one and two-bedroom apartments overlooking the English Channel. The development will include a range of high-quality amenity spaces, some of which it intends to make available for use by the wider Eastbourne community. The scheme, designed by architects Gaunt Francis, will provide much needed, high-quality, independent later living accommodation to the older elderly in Eastbourne and beyond. Homes will be available across a range of different mid-market tenures, including to buy, for rent and purchase via shared ownership. Russell Jewell, CEO at Untold Living, said: “The urgent need for more purpose-built later living accommodation in the UK cannot be overstated, particularly in East Sussex, where the population of over-70s is growing more quickly than the national average. “Many thousands of older people are living in accommodation that is wholly unsuitable to their needs, which poses a serious risk to their mental and physical wellbeing. “Our Eastbourne scheme will not only offer round-the-clock care and support to residents when needed but also relieve pressure on local health and social services by lowering the frequency of residents’ hospital and GP visits. “We are grateful to the people of Eastbourne for all of the valuable feedback we have received so far and look forward to announcing further details in due course.” It comes after Untold Living launched a consultation to which members of the public, the council, and local interest groups were invited, to gather feedback on the proposed plans and to ensure it is designed to serve the entire community – not just the older population. The Eastbourne scheme is the newest addition to Untold Living’s portfolio alongside an existing retirement community in Westbury, Wiltshire and sites in Crawley, West Sussex, and Newport, Shropshire. Untold Living is targeting a GDV of £300m for its initial development pipeline. The developer-operator is actively seeking to acquire other suitable sites and assets across the UK to expand its portfolio and is open to discussions with landowners, landlords and agents. Untold Living will contribute to the 50,000 new purpose-built homes required for older people in the UK each year, tackling the acute shortage of adequate later living accommodation. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Leading retirement BTR developer’s Sidcup and Woking communities now operating Ready Lists Birchgrove, the UK’s leading provider of rented retirement homes, has announced that two of its three communities are now at full occupancy and operating Ready Lists as demand for rented retirement homes continues to soar, far outstripping supply. Queensgate Apartments in Sidcup, which comprises of 74 one, two and three bed apartments, is now at over 98% occupancy, while Woodbank Apartments in Woking, which comprises of 51 one and two bed units, is at 96% occupancy. The occupancy rates represent a significant landmark for operator Birchgrove following M&G’s £69m acquisition of the two sites in January 2022. As a result of the full occupancy, both sites are now operating a Ready List – a waiting list of retirees looking to rent a unit once they become available, having already registered interest and undertaken a financial assessment. The Ready Lists represent another important milestone for Birchgrove, given older people renting in retirement was largely unheard of in the mid-market sector until Birchgrove introduced the model to the UK in 2017. Many of those on the Ready Lists have lived in Woking and Sidcup their whole life, and are looking to downsize from their family home into rental assisted living accommodation that is more flexible and better suited to their needs. According to the English Housing Survey, the number of pensioners in rented accommodation is set to double to over 1m in the next decade. With demand for rented retirement accommodation already far outstripping supply, Birchgrove has invested in a further six sites across the South-East – with three communities under construction and now available for rental off-plan, and a further three London sites acquired. Honor Barratt, Chief Executive, Birchgrove said: “Every day in 2024, 1,000 people in the UK will turn 80. In ten years’ time, Birchgrove will have built 1,000 units – so enough for one days increase in need, or 0.1% of the more than one million retirees predicted to want to rent by then. “We’re delighted to have demonstrated that the mid-market rental model works. We’re thrilled to have acquired nine sites in six years. And we’re proud to be changing older people’s lives for the better, by helping them to live more flexibly. But with two of our three operating communities already at full occupancy, the sector requires far greater investment, development and ambition to meet this surging demand.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Leading building and civil engineering contractor, Farrans Construction, has been appointed by Inspired Villages to begin construction of a £45m retirement community in Sonning Common, South Oxfordshire. Farrans’ first phase of works will include 73 high-quality, bespoke homes for over 65s and a state-of-the-art wellness suite within the village centre. The Sonning Common scheme, once delivered in full, will provide 133 age-appropriate, sustainable homes for around 150 over 65s, as well as impressive facilities including a restaurant, cafe, hairdressers, library and craft rooms and a wellness centre comprising a swimming pool, steam room, treatment rooms and a gym with a fitness studio. Some of these features such as the gym, pool, restaurant and café will be open to the wider community. The development will provide further benefit to the local area and economy by creating over 100 construction jobs, and in excess of 40 operational jobs once complete. Farrans has over 80 years’ experience of delivering world-class projects across the UK and Ireland. It specialises in luxury, sustainable, senior living residential properties, including the recently completed Hendon Hall. The company, which employs more than 600 people, has offices in London, Cambridge, Edinburgh, Leeds and Belfast with further site offices connecting its regional network. Inspired Villages is an award-winning developer and operator of integrated retirement communities supported by joint venture funding to the tune of £500m from NatWest Group Pension Fund and Legal & General. Sonning Common joins a fast-growing pipeline that puts Inspired Villages on track to deliver its plan of creating 34 communities comprising of 5,100 homes for 8,000 over 65s. It currently operates nine villages with an additional three sites under construction and aims to address the considerable shortage of appropriate housing for older people in the UK. Its latest village, Millfield Green, opens this month in Bedfordshire and is the UK’s first Net Zero Integrated Retirement Community (regulated energy). Glenn Gilmore, Regional Director for Farrans Construction, said: “Sonning Common is an exciting development in the heart of an area which is experiencing significant demand for retired living accommodation, and we are looking forward to working with Inspired Villages to deliver their vision. The design has brought in elements which will encourage a true community spirit, with opportunities to socialise, relax and keep active. We have an extensive later living portfolio in the UK and we understand how important it is to consider and deliver for the end users who will call this home. We will be engaging with the local community throughout our work on site and we look forward to leaving a positive lasting legacy in the area.” Neal Dale, Chief Property and Development Officer at Inspired Villages, commented: “We are really pleased to be progressing work at our Widmore Park village in Sonning Common with the appointment of Farrans for the first phase of construction. Having recently opened our ninth village and the UK’s first Net Zero Retirement Community (regulated energy), Millfield Green in Bedfordshire, we are excited that Widmore Park will follow in the footsteps of this trailblazing village with its sustainability credentials centred around ground source heat pump technology. All of the buildings will accommodate solar panels and will be designed with excellent insulation and ventilation. We’re also enabling electric car charging points; a crucial part of delivering cleaner transport across the country. We are leading the IRC sector’s approach to sustainability and social impact. “By creating vibrant, sustainable communities carefully designed for the needs of over 65’s and focused on promoting a connected and active lifestyle, we know our villages improve the holistic wellbeing of residents and have positive impact to the wider community also. Sonning Common is an important step in our portfolio expansion, allowing us to support the shortfall in specialist later living housing in the South Oxfordshire area.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Work is complete on a stunning and luxurious new care home in Sleaford that offers 67-bedrooms alongside first-class amenities, with the first residents now moving into their new homes. Sleaford Manor is the latest development in Brough headquartered Yorkare’s portfolio of care homes which are located throughout Yorkshire and Lincolnshire. The £6 million development was built by Yorkshire and Lincolnshire construction firm, Hobson & Porter, and is the seventh project the company has completed for Yorkare since 2015. Located off London Road, Sleaford Manor’s spacious bedrooms are all fully furnished with their own en-suite bathrooms. Those on the ground floor have private patio areas and there are also premium suites, with their own lounge areas, which often appeal to couples or siblings. Facilities include an in-house bar, restaurant standard dining rooms, a full beauty salon and hairdressing room, a cinema, private dining rooms and outdoor terraces on each floor. The development is surrounded by landscaped gardens with private seating areas, as well as a bowling green and allotments. Nicola Anderson, marketing and community engagement manager, from Yorkare, said: “Sleaford Manor is our tenth care home, which is a major milestone for us, and it’s already proving very popular with people in and around Sleaford who are looking for a special place to start the next chapter of their lives. “We’re already welcoming our first residents to Sleaford Manor and would urge anyone who would like to find out more about the outstanding levels of care offered and the luxury facilities, to get in contact with us.” Mark Smee, director at Hobson & Porter, said: “We’re very pleased to complete work on this latest development for Yorkare, which follows a string of successful projects in Louth, Cottingham, Cleethorpes Beverley, Hessle and Hornsea. In addition, we’re currently working on another project for Yorkare at Haxby, which will complete next year. “Yorkare has established a strong reputation for pushing industry boundaries, when it comes to the design and luxury fit out of its homes. This translates into exceptional homes in prominent locations and Sleaford Manor, which is much more akin to an up-market hotel than a care home, offers a stunning living environment where residents will aspire to live.” Sleaford Manor sits in a prominent location next to a Co-op supermarket, a community centre, and a newly developed coffee shop. For more information about the development visit yorkarehomes.co.uk Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Later living provider Anchor has recently announced the partners for its Development Consultancy framework helping to meet the not-for-profit provider’s ambitious plans to deliver 5,700 new homes over the next ten years. Anchor, England’s largest provider of specialist housing and care for people in later life, will deliver the schemes across England, providing communities for people aged 55 and over with homes available for sale, shared ownership and to rent. The framework will run for 4 years from August 2023 to August 2027, with the partnerships involving a total of 43 consultants including architects, structural engineers, employer agents, cost consultants, principal designers and planning consultants. Steve Hogben, Director of Technical and Commercial services for Anchor, said: “With such a large framework stemming from our ambitious plans to further our provision for later living across the country, it was important we sourced the correct experience and expertise for our long term partnerships. We were very impressed by the submissions we received and are looking forward to working with our chosen partners to help deliver Anchor’s development strategy.” Oliver Boundy, Executive Director of Development at Anchor, said: “With housing, care and support for our older population needed more than ever, we are passionate about helping people enjoy later life.” “Anchor is proudly not-for-profit, which means every penny we make is reinvested into our properties and services, building more and innovating for the future so that people can have a home where they love living in later life. Our mission is to create communities that bring people together, encourage neighbourliness and reduce isolation while providing support services that give residents peace of mind.” “Anchor manages 54,000 homes for rent, sale and shared ownership to those aged 55 and over, operating across almost 1,700 sites and serving more than 65,000 residents. Our 10-year plan is to build on that success and help address the gap in service provision for older people in England.” To find out more about the company’s growth strategy and vision for the future, or if you are a landowner, developer or site agent with suitable land then visit: www.anchorhanover.org.uk/professionals/land-acquisition. The full list of all appointed suppliers to the framework include: Lots 1& 2 – Architects: Lot 1 – North: Lot 2 – South: Lots 3 & 4 – Structural Engineers Lot 3 – North: Lot 4 – South: Lots 5 & 6 – Employers Agent/Cost Consultant Lot 5 – North: Lot 6 – North: Lots 7 & 8 – M & E Consultants Lot 7 – North: Lot 8 – South Lot 9 – Principal Designers Lot 9 – National Lot 10 – Planning Consultants Lot 10 – National Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Three landmark care homes in Derbyshire have finished pivotal works this summer to improve facilities for residents. Led by Midlands-based contractor, G F Tomlinson, and delivered for Derbyshire County Council through the Pagabo Refit and Refurbishment Framework, the works have included a range of improvements to bring the ageing buildings up to an approved standard to enhance the experience for residents. The three schemes include £3.1m works to Briar Close House Care Home in Borrowash, £2.9m works to New Bassett House Care Home in Shirebrook and £2.7m works to Rowthorne Care Home in Swanwick, all of which started in summer 2021 and are due to be finished by autumn 2023. Derbyshire County Council commissioned the improvements as part of a scheme of major refurbishment works to council-run care homes across Derbyshire. Improvement upgrades included asbestos removal, structural roof repairs, new insulation, partition alterations, new ceilings, plaster works, repairs to doors and ironmongery together with the installation of new sprinkler and fire safety systems and new kitchen facilities. The schemes were finished off externally with hard and soft landscaping which included new planters, pergolas, and decorative garden areas for residents to enjoy. The landscape improvements have ensured that all outdoor spaces are safe and accessible, with wider paths and raised beds to enable residents to tend to and enjoy new planting areas. The outside areas have also been designed to be Dementia friendly – and include a sensory garden with lights, wind chimes and fragrant flowers and plants specifically to stimulate participation. Civils works involved the construction of new footpaths and roadways to improve circulation and make the homes easily accessible to care staff and visitors. New drainage has also been installed throughout the sites. As part of their commitment to the environment and supporting local wildlife, G F Tomlinson installed hedgehog highways at each care home. Each project achieved scores ranging from 38 to 41 ‘Very Good’ on the National Considerate Constructors scheme, in recognition of the consideration the contractor gave to residents, staff and nearby neighbours during the construction period. Giving back to the local communities, G F Tomlinson provided a range of social value opportunities at each care home. At Briar Close, the team provided 24 days of work experience to students from local schools and colleges. Other initiatives included Christmas gifts to local residents and furniture replacement following the handover of each area. At Rowthorne, a new washing machine and temporary kitchen was fitted, local litter picks and hedge cutting took place and 15 days of work experience for local young people was provided. The company also donated a defibrillator to the Rowthorne and New Bassett Care homes on completion of the schemes. At New Bassett Care Home, old wardrobes and timber pergolas were disposed of, and the care home entrance slabs replaced, along with moving furniture back in after works and re-fitting curtains, all of which were not part of the original works package. Chris Flint, Managing Director at G F Tomlinson, said: “Delivering these pivotal works for three main care homes in the county has been a tremendous honour and we’re proud that the improvements will ensure the preservation of these much-needed residential care homes as part of the local social care provision. “Despite delays due to Covid-19 vaccination requirements, as we approach completion, we’re looking forward to residents moving back into the new and enhanced homes which will significantly improve their quality of living. “We’d like to say a big thank you to our different site teams for delivering exceptional quality and going above and beyond to deliver social value opportunities in the local communities.” Scott Rice, Project Manager, Concertus Derbyshire Limited, said: ““Projects like this make a real difference to the lives of our most vulnerable elderly people. At all times, GFT acknowledged they were working in what are in reality people’s homes. The homes remained occupied during the works which took place over a number of phases. “GFT worked closely alongside the home management in order to minimise any disruption – the site teams and operatives have been recognised by the home managers for their consideration towards the residents. Covid threw us a curve ball, and throughout the project the nature of working in phases on old buildings led to many unforeseeable issues arising which were dealt with smoothly and efficiently. We have been kept appraised of progress and changes at all stages which has resulted in remarkable high-quality improvements to what were very tired and outdated properties.” Elliott Talbot, Framework Manager for Pagabo’s Refit and Refurbishment Framework, said: “We’re delighted to see these care home improvements reaching completion thanks to the great work of G F Tomlinson. Our Refit and Refurbishment Framework allowed Derbyshire County Council to find the most suited contractor for this project and streamlined the whole procurement process. A massive well done to everyone who made this scheme a reality.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Plans to deliver a cutting-edge Extra Care scheme in Hebburn Town Centre has been given the go ahead this week by South Tyneside Council’s planning committee. The £26million development from Karbon Homes will see 95 affordable homes developed on the site behind Hebburn Central, consisting of 20 two-bed and 75 one-bed apartments, 17 of which will be the specialist dementia apartments. Zoey Hawthorne, Assistant Director of Development Delivery at Karbon Homes welcomed the planning decision. “We’re pleased to hear the news that our Hebburn Gardens Extra Care development has been given the planning go ahead, providing modern, high-quality homes that will help meet the demand for specialist housing in the South Tyneside area. “This is the start of an exciting partnership with South Tyneside Council, to help ensure local residents have access to affordable housing that provides them with the levels of care and support they need to continue living independently.” Following the Hebburn scheme, there is the potential for the development of two more extra schemes, delivered as a partnership project between Karbon Homes and South Tyneside Council. Combined, the three schemes could deliver up to 300 new homes, helping address the lack of specialist affordable accommodation options in the borough, that help people of varying ages over 18, with differing levels of care and support needs, to live well and independently. 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: “This is excellent news and means we can now start putting these exciting plans into action. “One of our key ambitions is for people to stay healthy and well throughout their lives. Residents have told us that they would prefer to live independently in the community for as long as possible, rather than going into residential care, and it is this kind of affordable, specialist accommodation that will enable people to do that. “This scheme will allow not just older people, but younger adults with care needs to live in their local community with support.” The delivery of the Hebburn scheme is expected to be part-funded by Homes England, through Karbon Homes’ Strategic Partnership with the Government’s housing delivery agency. The strategic partnership has provided Karbon with funding to deliver 2,200 new affordable homes across the North East and Yorkshire over the next few years, 10% of which has been dedicated to the development of new homes for people requiring additional support needs. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
A provider of rented retired homes has acquired an apartment development in London. Birchgrove has bought a total of 78 apartments in Hampton Court growing its portfolio across the South-East. The £39 million deal has been completed with Octagon Developments, who design and build high quality homes throughout Southern England. Octagon Developments will deliver the apartments on a turnkey basis by 2025. This is Birchgrove’s eighth development with their equity partners Bridges Fund Management and follows the successful exit of its first two neighbourhoods to M&G last year. The debt is provided by Beaufort Capital and is their fourth deal with Birchgrove. The project’s GDV is forecast to increase to £68m once all units are fully let. The development will provide 78 contemporary, self-contained assisted living one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments available to independently minded renters aged over 65, together with extensive communal facilities including a restaurant, club room, licensed bar, wellness suite, library and landscaped gardens. Honor Barratt, Chief Executive, Birchgrove said: “Our new site at Hampton Court will encapsulate all the benefits of the Birchgrove offering: beautiful, purpose-built apartments, a flexible rental model, publicly accessible communal spaces and a development that frees up homes for local families. Imagine being able to sit on your balcony and look over the Thames into the back garden of Henry VIII – who wouldn’t want to live like that? “With more and more retirees looking to rent, London is firmly in our sights to expand our portfolio, and having secured sites in Chiswick and Hampton Court we look forward to announcing further exciting news in the capital soon.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
