Morgan Sindall Construction has completed work on an extra care facility in Leeds. The Sycamores in Woodlesford is Morgan Sindall Construction’s second Extra Care scheme for Lovell Later Living, Leeds City Council, and integrated housing and care provider Home Group, following the completion of the Greenmill Gardens Wellbeing community in
Kori Construction has scooped a £12.2m project that will see the site of a former Milton Keynes fire station turned into a high-quality care home. Kori was awarded the contract by leading UK care provider Porthaven Care Homes after being appointed to a similar project for a client in Harpenden,
New research produced by global property consultancy Knight Frank and law firm Irwin Mitchell reveal that planning remains one of the largest challenges for the Seniors Housing market as nearly a third of councils across England remain unprepared to provide suitable housing for their ageing populations. Just under a third
Local firms invited to apply as projects bring 800 jobs to the region McCarthy Stone, the UK’s leading developer and manager of retirement communities, is urging local firms in all construction-related trades, from groundworks to cleaning and everything in between, to pitch for work as it embarks on constructing eight
The ceremony which marked the start of construction was attended by representatives from Housing 21, Kirklees Council, Homes England and Robertson Group. The development located off Kenmore Drive will comprise of 80 homes: 61 one-bedroom and 19 two-bedroom apartments, all of which will be available for social rent. The £20
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.
Morgan Sindall Construction has completed work on an extra care facility in Leeds. The Sycamores in Woodlesford is Morgan Sindall Construction’s second Extra Care scheme for Lovell Later Living, Leeds City Council, and integrated housing and care provider Home Group, following the completion of the Greenmill Gardens Wellbeing community in the Seacroft area of Leeds in October 2022. The £13.4m scheme – designed by P&HS Architects – will maximise the independence of people requiring ongoing care and support, such as those with health conditions and older people. The Sycamores comprises 62 one and two-bed self-contained apartments with contemporary kitchen facilities, ensuite bathrooms and a private balcony or patio. The scheme also includes communal areas and landscaped gardens alongside a community café and hair salon which will be available for use by residents and the local community. Throughout its build programme, Morgan Sindall undertook a comprehensive social value programme to ensure the community benefited from the project. 33 apprentices were employed on the project, with a local labour spend of 75%. £2.67 was reinvested in the Leeds economy for every £1 spent on the project (figures calibrated using the LM3 methodology), while there were also over 60 hours of educational engagement. To reduce waste and save cost, Morgan Sindall deployed its Intelligent Solutions approach to alter the build sequence and ceiling details throughout the building so full-size plasterboards with no offcuts could be installed. This resulted in the equivalent of over 1,000 boards being saved. Other innovations on site resulted in 33.7 tonnes of CO2 being saved during the construction process – the equivalent amount of CO2 it would take to heat 12 UK homes annually. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Kori Construction has scooped a £12.2m project that will see the site of a former Milton Keynes fire station turned into a high-quality care home. Kori was awarded the contract by leading UK care provider Porthaven Care Homes after being appointed to a similar project for a client in Harpenden, Hertfordshire. Demolition of the former fire station building, which has stood empty since 2020 when the fire service was relocated to a new Blue Light Hub at West Ashland, has already been completed. It will be replaced by a four-storey, 75-bed care home described as ‘tranquil and settled’ by the developer, which will provide comprehensive care services for older people as well as those living with dementia. Jordan Connachie, Managing Director of Kori Construction, said: “We’re delighted to be working with Porthaven Care Homes again, to bring forward this much-needed development. “The scheme has been designed as a high-quality landmark building which will provide a safe and relaxed environment for residents, both inside and out. Residents will also benefit from a range of first-class amenities as well as main views that look out across green space. Couple this with the high standard of care Porthaven is renowned for providing, and it will be a fantastic asset to the local community.” The care home will consist of 75 bedrooms over three floors, complete with wet rooms, with staff and service facilities located on the fourth floor. Amenities include a gym, hair salon, café, cinema, activity room, community lounge, community and private dining areas, and private, landscaped gardens. Work to prepare the site got underway in November 2023 and the development will take around 18 months to complete. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
New research produced by global property consultancy Knight Frank and law firm Irwin Mitchell reveal that planning remains one of the largest challenges for the Seniors Housing market as nearly a third of councils across England remain unprepared to provide suitable housing for their ageing populations. Just under a third (32%) of local authorities still do not have clear policies in place to support housing for seniors according to new research from Knight Frank and Irwin Mitchell: Unlocking Potential – Real Estate: Unlocking Potential for Seniors Housing Development (irwinmitchell.com).This significant shortcoming in the level of planning for seniors housing is particularly worrying given the UK’s ageing population- it is forecast that the number of people aged over 65 will increase to over 15 million or to one in four of us by 2043. The new survey builds on similar research carried out in 2017, 2020 and 2022, which ranked local authorities between ‘A’ and ‘D according to the provisions in their local plans towards seniors housing.* Those local authorities with an A rating had clear policies indicating details of the required number of dwellings and care home beds and how this will be achieved together with specific site allocations for such development, whereas those with a D rating had neither clear policies nor site allocation. This year’s survey results (below) found that out of 326 local authorities in England 75 (23 %) were graded A, 100 (33.7%) were graded B, 47 (14.4%) were graded C and 104 (31.9%) were graded D. Oliver Knight, Partner and Head of Residential Research at Knight Frank said: “While previous research has shown significant progress, our latest analysis suggests that over the last two years, the pace of change has stalled. A third of local authorities are still to adopt specific planning policies and site allocations addressing seniors housing. Some 34 have moved backwards over the last two years. The appetite from investors and developers to deliver more age-appropriate housing is clear and growing. A more consistent and supportive policy environment will unlock more supply, more propositions, and more choice for seniors.” Ranking 2017 2020 2022 2024 A 32 9.7% 60 18.6% 76 23.3% 75 23.0% B 72 22% 80 24.8% 96 29.4% 100 30.7% C 22 6.7% 21 6.5% 36 11.0% 47 14.4% D 203 62% 161 50% 118 36.2% 104 31.9% Total 329 100% 322 100% 326 100% 326 100% According to Nicola Gooch, Planning partner at Irwin Mitchell, “Planning remains one of the biggest challenges facing the seniors housing sector in England. It’s now 2024, seven years since we started running this survey, and there are still less than a quarter of A graded local authorities – only 75 out of 326 that have both clear policies in place and site allocations. The number of councils not adequately planning for an ageing population remains significant. More concerningly, the rate of change has stalled over the last two years, meaning that we are failing to make progress just when the need is becoming increasingly acute.” Gooch added: “This year’s survey is released in the run up to a general election and at the end of a period of unprecedented political turmoil. Since the last report was published there have been two changes of Prime Minister, three Secretaries of State at DLUHC and six Housing Ministers. We have seen the Levelling-Up & Regeneration Act 2023 enter the statute books, major amendments made to the NPPF, and the publication of more than a dozen consultations on a wide variety of proposed reforms to the planning system.” “Against that background, the policy inertia that we have experienced is disappointing, but probably not surprising. We have seen a decline in the number of new Local Plans as several local authorities have either delayed or withdrawn their local plans as they try to get to grips with ever moving and changing government policy.” However, it is not all gloom. Despite this inertia, Knight Frank & Irwin Mitchell believe a sense of urgency over the need to get behind the sector does finally seem to be taking hold. The Older Person’s Housing Taskforce is due to report later this year, and the Government’s support for the sector has been recognised both in greater recognition in the NPPF itself, but also in the Levelling-Up & Regeneration Act 2024. LURA contains provisions which, when brought into effect, will place the Secretary of State under a specific legal duty to provide detailed guidance on how local authorities should plan to meet the needs of the elderly population. The introduction of National Development Management Policies, which sit alongside (and in some cases override) a Council’s Local Plan policies, have the potential to make a huge difference to the sector and could, if the Government chose, render this research completely redundant. There are also new entrants and increased activity in the market, with developers such as Untold Living entering the market, and rental products from existing providers, really starting to take hold. Gooch concludes: “Whilst the last two years have been extremely challenging for the sector, it is starting to feel as if the supportive policy environment that we need to enable the sector to thrive might, finally, be in reach. However, we certainly need both local and national government to take a pro-active approach if we are to unlock the potential of senior housing in England. There is still a long way to go before the necessary support is in place to deliver our population’s elderly housing needs in full. Knight Frank and Irwin Mitchell have also updated their research to reveal the fifteen opportunity areas ripe for development of seniors’ housing across England. Using a matrix looking at both the planning scores and local economic/ demographic statistics,*** the research distinguished areas where there is clear potential for seniors housing to develop, as well as those areas where local factors are creating a barrier to progress. The results are as follows: Private seniors housing accommodation – top 15 Affordable seniors housing accommodation
Local firms invited to apply as projects bring 800 jobs to the region McCarthy Stone, the UK’s leading developer and manager of retirement communities, is urging local firms in all construction-related trades, from groundworks to cleaning and everything in between, to pitch for work as it embarks on constructing eight new retirement communities across the South West. The projects, spanning locations including Exeter, Ivybridge, Dartmouth, Minehead, Truro, Padstow and Sidmouth (where there will be two developments), are poised to generate approximately 100 jobs per development during the construction phase, bringing some 800 employment opportunities to the region. On completion, the retirement communities will provide further employment prospects for local workers, including roles in caregiving and maintenance services. For the development phase, McCarthy Stone has partnered with the supply chain management specialist Veriforce CHAS to identify and recruit local contractors to work on the projects. CHAS operates assessment programmes to ensure all individuals and firms working on sites are suitably accredited and fully comply with Health and Safety standards. Where capable contractors don’t yet hold the necessary certifications, CHAS can help applicants align with industry requirements. This construction initiative represents the largest number of projects McCarthy Stone has undertaken in the region for over six years. The company has 530 developments across England, Scotland, and Wales and over 22,500 homeowners and renters, with plans to buy a further 60 sites for development each year. McCarthy Stone invites local contractors across the region in all trades to attend a ‘Meet the Buyer’ event at the Devon Hotel, Exeter, on Tuesday 26th March between 8 am -12 noon, where they can discuss the projects and apply for the work. A McCarthy Stone spokesperson comments on the new scheme: “McCarthy Stone is proud to be pioneering eight new projects across the South West that will not only enrich lives but also boost local economies. As part of our commitment to putting communities first, we are seeking to work with local businesses and extend a warm invitation to construction firms in the region to come and learn more about the opportunities we have on offer.” A Veriforce CHAS spokesperson adds: “We are looking forward to helping McCarthy Stone engage with the local construction community on these exciting developments. Come and talk to our experienced team about how you can take advantage of these opportunities and experience the benefits of working with one of the UK’s leading developers.” For more information and to register for the event, visit: https://www.chas.co.uk/lp-mtb-mccarthy-stone-2024/ Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
The ceremony which marked the start of construction was attended by representatives from Housing 21, Kirklees Council, Homes England and Robertson Group. The development located off Kenmore Drive will comprise of 80 homes: 61 one-bedroom and 19 two-bedroom apartments, all of which will be available for social rent. The £20 million Extra Care scheme is being delivered by Housing 21, a national leading provider of Retirement Living and Extra Care, in partnership with Kirklees Council. Homes England are providing a grant of over £7 million, Robertson Group are the main contractors working with Brewster Bye Architects. Bridget Faughnan-Bing, Housing 21’s Development and Delivery Director said: “We are delighted to announce the start of construction on our first Extra Care scheme in Kirklees. The Extra Care scheme at Kenmore Drive will be a great addition to the housing choices for older people of modest means in the area.” “This development will provide homes that will enable local older people to live independently for longer and still remain within the community that they know and love.” Councillor Moses Crook, Cabinet Member for Housing and Highways said: “I am really pleased to see that works are about to start on Kenmore Drive. This is our fifth Extra Care scheme in Kirklees, including a scheme nearing completion at Ashbrow and building upon our existing schemes located in Huddersfield, Dewsbury and Heckmondwike. This development will be another vital step in our ongoing efforts to provide high-quality, accessible housing in Kirklees.’’ Once open, the scheme will provide residents with a selection of modern communal spaces including a residents’ lounge, on-site café/bistro and hair salon, which will be available for use by the neighbouring community. Jonathan Sizer, Regional Managing Director, Robertson Construction Yorkshire & East Midlands, commented: “With a focus on supporting the health and wellbeing of residents, the development will feature attractive facilities that allow independence while benefiting and connecting the local community. As delivery partner, we will ensure that we create quality homes and facilities that meet the needs and priorities of residents, staff and the wider community. This development will be an asset to Cleckheaton and marks our first project with Housing 21.” The development is scheduled to complete in spring 2026. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
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
