Later living provider Inspired Villages has acquired a 27-acre site in Edenbridge, Kent. The deal is part of a joint venture with NatWest Pension Group Fund and Legal & General. The site has planning permission for 184,000 square feet of accommodation including a 100-unit Integrated Retirement Community. Inspired will now
Trafford Council has approved plans to build a care home as part of the first wave of residential developments at Peel L&P’s Trafford Waters. The homes which will have on-site specialist facilities and amenities for people in need of dementia care. Specialist healthcare provider Montpelier Estates successfully applied for planning
Work is well underway on a retirement living development of 57 one and two bedroom residential apartments on the vacant site of the former Compton Mill in Leek, Staffordshire. The new part two, three, four and five-storey development will include associated ancillary spaces, garden spaces and parking, and is being
RED Construction London, a regional arm of RED Construction Group that operates in across London and the south east, has announced its appointment to deliver phase one of The Sheppard Trust’s redevelopment of the Royal Cambridge Home in Surrey. As part of the £8m first phase, RED Construction London will
A SUNDERLAND architects firm has drawn up plans – approved last week – for a cluster of wellbeing homes that will replace a distinctive building in Ryhope. Simpson Street based architects and engineering practice, Building Design Northern (BDN), was commissioned by Sunderland City Council to draw up designs for a
Caddick Construction has scooped a £23 million contract to deliver Lancaster’s first extra care facility on behalf of Progress Housing Group. Groundwork has now begun on site with completion due in May 2025. Building on Caddick’s existing healthcare portfolio, this development will boost the provision of specialist residential care for
A care home and a Co-op will soon be coming to a new development in Lichfield after a leading property consultancy negotiated two separate land sales. Roman Heights in Streethay will see a care village complex with 78 apartments and 60 bungalows with associated parking and communal facilities, and a
Wigan Council appoints St Helens based company to build 32 unit extra care scheme M&Y Maintenance and Construction has been awarded a £7.9m contract by Wigan Council to build a 32-unit extra care housing scheme. Built on the former site of Shevington Community Primary School on Miles Lane, the development
Anchor, England’s largest not-for-profit provider of specialist housing and care for people in later life, and delivery partner, award-winning housebuilder The Hill Group, has officially broken ground on its Rochester Riverside site on Corys Road, Rochester. Attended by Councillor Habib Tejan, Councillor Vince Maple, Councillor Alex Paterson, Patrick Duffy, Director
Beard Construction has completed two deluxe Signature Senior Lifestyle care homes under projects worth a combined £24.8m. The two projects – Signature at Caversham, in Berkshire, and Signature at Farnham Common, in Buckinghamshire – provide luxury, high-end apartments and residential communities for residents, delivering nursing, respite and dementia care. High-end
Later living provider Inspired Villages has acquired a 27-acre site in Edenbridge, Kent. The deal is part of a joint venture with NatWest Pension Group Fund and Legal & General. The site has planning permission for 184,000 square feet of accommodation including a 100-unit Integrated Retirement Community. Inspired will now seek to amend current permission to include additional facilities such as a restaurant and wellness suite. The site is a former golf course situated just outside Edenbridge, and is a 15-minute walk from the town centre. Commenting on the acquisition Neal Dale, Chief Development & Property Officer for Inspired Villages said: “We welcome the addition of Edenbridge to our portfolio of sites and are excited by its potential in a popular and thriving location for us. “We are keen to start progressing plans for the village here whilst raising awareness and gaining support from the local community. The provision of this type of age-appropriate accommodation is of wider benefit as it naturally frees up housing stock throughout every element of the property ladder. “The sense of holistic wellbeing and community we seek to create within our villages also proves beneficial to the surrounding areas where we are currently operating. Our Inspired Friendships programme is already well-established in Kent and seeks to reduce loneliness and isolation of those not just living with a village, but the wider community also. “Edenbridge is part of our wider business vision to open 34 sites as we embark on a mission to become the leading retirement community operator in the UK, with communities that are flourishing and residents living the best years of their lives.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Trafford Council has approved plans to build a care home as part of the first wave of residential developments at Peel L&P’s Trafford Waters. The homes which will have on-site specialist facilities and amenities for people in need of dementia care. Specialist healthcare provider Montpelier Estates successfully applied for planning permission to build an 85-bed care home at the Trafford Waters site which sits within TraffordCity, near to the Manchester Ship Canal and The Trafford Centre. Montpelier’s scheme will offer tailored dementia care and elderly living with a range of on-site facilities to encourage socialising in a comfortable, safe and supportive space. An on-site bistro café, hair salon, cinema and rooftop garden will all be created as part of the scheme in Trafford Waters. There will also be space for community events, relaxation and exercise for future residents to enjoy. Several parts of the facility will also be open to the wider public to encourage further interaction and community building. The homes will be some of the first 350 to be built at Trafford Waters. Montpelier’s plans are part of the first phase of Trafford Waters where Peel L&P has secured outline planning permission for 3,000 new homes to suit a range of needs, a primary school, hotels, offices and a new 20-acre public park to improve people’s health, wellbeing and access to nature. The project is estimated to create over 5,000 new jobs. Anna Ciesielska, Director of Montpelier Estates said: “We are very pleased with the planning decision to approve our bespoke residential and nursing care scheme at Trafford Waters. We are proud be working in partnership with Peel L&P to deliver this high-quality, much-needed, specialist home for the local community. “We understand that a decision to move to a care home is difficult for residents and their families. That’s why our developments are highly focused on creating spaces where people really want to spend their time and live, where they feel reassured, empowered, cared for, while allowing them to remain independent with good links to the community and local facilities.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Work is well underway on a retirement living development of 57 one and two bedroom residential apartments on the vacant site of the former Compton Mill in Leek, Staffordshire. The new part two, three, four and five-storey development will include associated ancillary spaces, garden spaces and parking, and is being constructed by Tricas Construction for Collaborate Living and Housing 21. Located close to Leek’s town centre, the now empty site once housed the silk mill before being used as an antique emporium with storage and workshops in its later years. The building was demolished in 2018, leaving an area of open land that is bordered by Cornhill Street to the north, Duke Street to the south and Prospect Place to the west. Mark Henderson from Brewster Bye, the architects that have designed the scheme, said: “Due to some key historic assets of the old mill, the existing stair tower and turret were not demolished, and their restoration will form an interesting and attractive element of the new development.” As well as the 57 apartments, there will be a residents’ lounge on the ground floor, along with an office, buggy store and other ancillary spaces and amenities from residents. Each apartment will have its own private areas, with patio spaces for the apartments on the ground and lower ground floors, and homes on the upper floors will either have their own balcony, or a juliette balcony off the main lounge space. Outside, there will be landscaped gardens for the residents to enjoy. A parking area with 31 spaces will be created, including three that are accessible. A cycle parking store will also be provided as part of the development. Mark added: “Our design of the elevations was influenced by the buildings in the surrounding Leek area. The red brickwork used as the principal material is reflective of the red brick industrial nature of the buildings nearby, including the mill buildings that remain on Brook Street to the north of the site and London Street to the west. The heavy red brick influence is continued in the design of the houses in the immediate vicinity of the site, along Duke Street, Compton and London Street. Blue and grey brickwork will be added to the base of the building, and also in bands, as a detailed feature that adds a contemporary feel and an extra dimension to the building. The stone bands give even more detailing to the elevations, enhance projections, and connect the proposed building to the existing restored brick turret.” Lee Robinson, from Collaborate Living Ltd, said: “This development is incredibly exciting and really highlights the importance of multiple stakeholders working together to bring a challenging site and project to life. It is addressing a much-needed housing need for retirement living accommodation within the area and is perfectly situated in close proximity to the local amenities, GP’s, shops and entertainment. “The development itself has been thoughtfully designed with gated, well-lit pedestrian access from the car parking areas, as well as electric vehicle charging points. Inside the communal areas are located close to the entrance of the building, with the office providing security as people enter and exit the building. The apartments have open plan living kitchen areas, pleasant views, and benefit from lift access to the upper floors. “Crucially, this development will help address the chronic shortage of retirement living homes in the area and the apartments will be available for social rent from April 2024.” Housing 21 is a leading provider of retirement and extra care living for older people. It is a not-for-profit organisation that operates in over 240 local authority areas. Brewster Bye is one of the UK’s leading architecture practices in the retirement housing sector. Visit: www.housing21.org.uk for more details. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
RED Construction London, a regional arm of RED Construction Group that operates in across London and the south east, has announced its appointment to deliver phase one of The Sheppard Trust’s redevelopment of the Royal Cambridge Home in Surrey. As part of the £8m first phase, RED Construction London will carry out works to demolish around two thirds of the existing buildings, replacing the section with a state-of-the-art 32-bed care home. The new building will be fully wheelchair accessible and will provide residential long term and respite care. Specialist architects, PRP, have carefully designed the new care home to respect the street scene and conservation area, by creating elegant buildings which are reflective of the villas that currently occupy the site. Each of the 32 bedrooms will be fitted with ensuite bathrooms, and the new home will provide high quality communal facilities including a lounge overlooking the gardens as well as a hair and beauty treatment room and a full catering kitchen. Located in East Molesey and operating as a not-for-profit facility, the redevelopment will optimise the site’s ability to provide high quality facilities for the elderly, so that the Royal Cambridge Home can continue to offer first class care in a building designed to meet modern requirements. When completed, Royal Cambridge Home will vacate the remaining property on site to enable its partner charity, The Sheppard Trust, to proceed with its phase two project, providing 60 one bedroomed flats for independent living, along with high quality communal facilities, designed for older women in need. Mark Iori, Operations Director at RED Construction London, commented: “At RED Construction London, our aim is to deliver great schemes fit for the future, so we could not be happier to work on phase one of this redevelopment for The Sheppard Trust and Royal Cambridge Home. Our team have extensive experience across a broad range of projects, from considered restoration work to new builds and fit-outs, and we are looking forward to delivering a key element of the new and improved Royal Cambridge Home scheme.” Robert Dowler, Chair of Trustees for Royal Cambridge Home, said: “It is the aim of the Royal Cambridge Home to provide care for our residents of the highest standard, achievable with bespoke facilities that allow our well-trained and motivated staff to shine. This development will enable us to continue to offer the best care within an elevated custom built home, suitable for 21st century care requirements. RED Construction London’s track record, and their understanding of our needs, make the team the perfect partner for phase one of this development. We are very pleased to have them on board.” This news follows RED Construction London’s recent appointment to deliver elevated office spaces within Barwood Capital’s redevelopment of ‘Explore’. The 45,000 sq ft space previously known as ‘Eton House’ will be undergoing refurbishment with the purpose of providing a prime sustainable office space as well as additional amenities. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
A SUNDERLAND architects firm has drawn up plans – approved last week – for a cluster of wellbeing homes that will replace a distinctive building in Ryhope. Simpson Street based architects and engineering practice, Building Design Northern (BDN), was commissioned by Sunderland City Council to draw up designs for a community of ‘specialist homes’ to support improved health, wellbeing, and care. They will stand on the current site of the disused St Cuthbert’s Methodist Church in Ryhope, and are part of the city council’s five-year £59m Housing Delivery and Investment Plan (HDIP), which is delivering more good-quality homes for older and vulnerable people in Sunderland. The plans were approved by Sunderland’s planning committee on the 17th April and demolition of the distinctive green-roofed church – which is no longer occupied and has fallen into disrepair – will clear the way for six new high-quality one-storey properties, as well as two staff hubs, for use by Adult Social Care workers on-hand to provide support to residents. The properties have been designed for people who require additional support and care, with the aim of improving the everyday experience of the residents who live there, meeting their immediate and future needs. The team at BDN has worked closely with staff from the local authority to shape plans to ensure they’re absolutely fit for purpose and able to support residents with a range of conditions that impact on their mobility and health. Graham King, Director of Adult Services at Sunderland City Council, said: “This is yet another example of the strong collaboration between Adult Services and the housing team. The programme has been a real success with developments bespoke to individual customers and their care and support needs with technology-enabled care built into the schemes which allows people to live more independently in their own tenancy.” Gerry Taylor, executive director of health housing and communities at Sunderland City Council, said: “We’re delighted to have commissioned a Sunderland firm to develop plans for new homes in Sunderland, that will improve the lives of those who live there. “The HDIP is about supporting our more vulnerable residents, creating homes that are attuned to their needs, with design and assistive technology adaptations that support the wellbeing of people who live there. This scheme will achieve just that, breathing new life into a small area that is at the heart of an established community in Sunderland.” The proposals comprise of a mixture of both two and three-bedroom shared and individual bungalows, arranged in a cluster and connected by a sheltered canopy to enclose the site and create a sense of community. BDN’s work on the project has been bolstered by a Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) with Northumbria University, which has provided a unique opportunity for contemporary research to be embedded into the scheme’s architectural design. All six homes have been carefully designed to complement the existing streetscape, while delivering a contemporary response that will establish a connected community of well-designed, sustainable homes. Dr Faye Sedgewick, architectural designer and KTP associate at BDN, said: “St Cuthbert’s has been designed to enable residents to carry out everyday activities within the home. “The sympathetic design responds to both people and place, and seeks to support greater independence, enablement and life fulfilment for residents. The cluster of homes embed BDN’s supportive design principles and ethos to ensure that the accessible homes are readily adaptable, enabling and connected to the surrounding community.” A series of stakeholder engagement sessions with a research group at Northumbria University have supported BDN’s design response, ensuring the quality of design is the best it can be. Richard Marsden, managing director of BDN, added: “As a Sunderland firm, it is fantastic to be able to support the council in its goal of creating communities that raise the bar, delivering housing that enables residents to live independently and in comfortable, well-designed homes. “We’ve invested in a talented team at BDN, whose designs really are at the cutting edge, so this scheme really will be exemplary, something that means a lot to us as a firm that is growing roots in Sunderland.” The full planning application was submitted by BDN to Sunderland City Council in February, with a decision taken at committee yesterday. It is one of a number of HDIP schemes moving forward in the city, with plans to create more supported properties for vulnerable residents, more bungalows for people living with disabilities and older residents, as well as general use homes available for affordable rent. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Caddick Construction has scooped a £23 million contract to deliver Lancaster’s first extra care facility on behalf of Progress Housing Group. Groundwork has now begun on site with completion due in May 2025. Building on Caddick’s existing healthcare portfolio, this development will boost the provision of specialist residential care for those aged 55 and over in Lancaster, providing a safe and comfortable space for those requiring varying levels of care. The project will see the construction of a 92-unit extra care scheme incorporating one and two-bedroom apartments, with three of the one-bedroom apartments designed to be wheelchair friendly. Two existing buildings will also be converted into 16 one and two-bedroom general needs flats. Additional features such as assisted bathing, spa bathing, hairdressing facility, a games room, roof terraces and a laundry room will also be incorporated. External work will include alterations and remodelling of the existing and stone boundary wall, landscaping, a car park with EV charging points, restoration of all historial sandstone buildings and the installation of external lighting. Ian Threadgold, Managing Director of Caddick Construction for the North West commented: “Extra care facilities such as these are a vital necessity in any community and we’re pleased to be bringing this much needed development to life, on behalf of Progress Housing Group. Caddick’s extensive expertise in the healthcare sector is what has led our specialist team to this development and we’re thrilled to form an integral part of this project.” Rebecca Field, Head of Development at Progress Housing Group, said: “We are delighted to be working with Caddick Construction on our first Extra Care scheme facility and the first in Lancaster. “The scheme will provide homes for people aged 55 and over, with on-site, tailored care and support packages available to help residents live independently. It is hoped that the scheme will be completed by Summer 2025.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
A care home and a Co-op will soon be coming to a new development in Lichfield after a leading property consultancy negotiated two separate land sales. Roman Heights in Streethay will see a care village complex with 78 apartments and 60 bungalows with associated parking and communal facilities, and a Co-op convenience store alongside a new café and four retail units, undergo construction after two deals were agreed by Fisher German. Fisher German, acting on behalf of Miller Homes, sold the care village site to Keon Homes Ltd, and the Co-op site to LSP Developments. Both sites have full planning permission for the projects and construction works have started. “We received strong interest for both sites having targeted specialist developers in both sectors. The schemes complement the existing housing and will be excellent additions to Lichfield. The care village and new shops will help make Roman Heights feel more like a true community, and we wish Keon Homes and LSP Developments all the best with the delivery of the projects,” said Rob Champion, Partner at Fisher German. The developments will add to the 750 new homes and primary school at Roman Heights, which first received outline planning permission in late 2014. “Building communities is at the heart of what we do at Miller Homes and we are delighted to bring these important facilities to our residents living in Streethay. With our residential homes now sold out and our customers enjoying their new homes, we hope that the new retail facilities and care complex will become a focal point of the development servicing the needs of the community for years to come,” concluded Alastair Parsons, Area Sales Director at Miller Homes West Midlands. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Wigan Council appoints St Helens based company to build 32 unit extra care scheme M&Y Maintenance and Construction has been awarded a £7.9m contract by Wigan Council to build a 32-unit extra care housing scheme. Built on the former site of Shevington Community Primary School on Miles Lane, the development will include 1 Bedroom, 2 Person and 2 Bedroom, 3 Person apartments and bespoke communal areas that will provide plenty of space for socialising in a welcoming and friendly environment. The contract includes demolition of existing buildings and the construction of a new shared access road. Speaking about the appointment, Chris Mellor, Construction Director at M&Y, said: “This is a fantastic win for M&Y, and we’re absolutely delighted to be working with Wigan Council again. It speaks to the strength of our knowledgeable construction team, who bring experience from multiple sectors including healthcare and education, that we’ve been selected to deliver this exciting new extra care scheme. We are really looking forwards to the project and strengthening our relationship with Wigan council.” This will be M&Y’s second development with Wigan Council, having completed their Brackley House development in early 2022. The company stepped in to finish 17, two, three and four bedroom houses, following the collapse of Crudens in 2021. During completion of Brackley House, M&Y generated more than £37,000 of social value activity for the borough, supporting apprentices, businesses and local causes. When the development was complete, their support of the local community continued, with M&Y maintaining their support for local homelessness charity ‘The Brick,’ donating 10 bundles of warm clothing and 40 thermal blankets to their ‘Wrap up Wigan’ campaign. Councillor Susan Gambles, cabinet portfolio holder for housing and welfare said: “Extra care is about enabling residents to continue to live independently, with a bit of a helping hand; getting the right support, in the right place, at the right time. “Wigan Council, working in partnership, has built a number of extra care facilities in recent years, creating high-quality and sustainable developments across our borough. “I am really looking forward to seeing how these works progress, bringing this former school site back into use.” M&Y Maintenance and Construction has been awarded a £7.9m contract, following the completion of a competitive tender process by Wigan Council to build a 32-unit extra care housing scheme. The project will now commence detailed planning, design and procurement with a view to starting on site in March 2023 and completion expected mid-2024. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Anchor, England’s largest not-for-profit provider of specialist housing and care for people in later life, and delivery partner, award-winning housebuilder The Hill Group, has officially broken ground on its Rochester Riverside site on Corys Road, Rochester. Attended by Councillor Habib Tejan, Councillor Vince Maple, Councillor Alex Paterson, Patrick Duffy, Director of New Business at Anchor, and Simon Trice, Managing Director at Hill, the event marked the official start of construction for the development, which will deliver 101 new mixed-tenure homes for people aged over 55. Set to be available to move into from 2024, Anchor’s homes will be part of the large-scale regeneration scheme being delivered by mixed-tenure developer Countryside and housing association Hyde. Patrick Duffy, Director of New Business at Anchor said: “The start of work on site marks an exciting point for our plans in Rochester. We believe that this development will offer a wide choice for those looking for a new home in their later life, offering the option to be as independent, quiet, or active as they desire as part of a vibrant new community set between the River Medway and Rochester town centre. “The acquisition of this new 1.6 acre site in 2021 was a fantastic step forward towards our goal of creating 5,700 new homes over the next 10 years, and it is great to see work begin on this new development.” Simon Trice, Managing Director at The Hill Group commented: “We are delighted to be working with Anchor on this development, which will provide high quality new homes and expand the wide range of housing tenure available at Rochester Riverside. We will utilise our extensive experience to provide energy efficient homes with excellent access to open space and local amenities, which are so important for wellbeing and creating a lasting community. Hill has worked extensively with Anchor in the past and we are proud to have been selected as their delivery partner once again.” Councillor Habib Tejan from Rochester River Ward said: “I’d like to thank Anchor and Hill for inviting me to the groundbreaking ceremony. We wholeheartedly welcome this investment into Medway and I look forward to seeing the development take shape and provide much needed housing for older people in our community.” Anchor’s new independent living scheme will provide a collection of one, two and three-bedroom apartments for rent and shared ownership. These new homes will be part of the £419m investment into the regeneration of Rochester where residents will benefit from commercial spaces and amenities right on their doorstep, alongside plenty of open space and excellent transport connections to both Kent and London. 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. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Beard Construction has completed two deluxe Signature Senior Lifestyle care homes under projects worth a combined £24.8m. The two projects – Signature at Caversham, in Berkshire, and Signature at Farnham Common, in Buckinghamshire – provide luxury, high-end apartments and residential communities for residents, delivering nursing, respite and dementia care. High-end materials and finishes – combined with Beard’s reputation for building excellence and quality – ensure five-star hotel comfort across both care homes. Farnham Common, which opened in January 2023, offers luxury assisted living and nursing in 74 studio-style apartments with private wet rooms, alongside facilities which include a café, restaurant, cinema, lounge areas, activity room, a pub, spa bathrooms, hair salon and therapy room. Officially opening in February 2023, Caversham is a four-floor care home with 86 apartments, split across a sloping site with views across to the Caversham lakes. Communal facilities will include the same range of facilities as Farnham Common on hand to residents. Both homes have been constructed from brick and render. Farnham’s roof is a tiled, mono ridge design while Caversham’s is Sarnafil topped with pebbles and lined with paving. Both projects remained operational during the second wave of the Covid pandemic with enhanced health and safety procedures designed to keep staff safe. Beard director Mike Hedges said: “The care sector is important to us, and our expertise means we can help clients to meet the increasing demand for the very best in assisted living spaces. Signature’s attention to detail in these homes and the high level of fit and finish is testament to the quality of living and care demanded by modern-day residents. “Beard’s core aim is to build with ambition and this project more than lives up to that ethos.” Alex Alexandru, General Manager at Signature at Farnham Common, said: “We are delighted to have worked with Beard to demonstrate what is possible in care home design. “As a community within a community, Signature at Farnham Common offers excellent residential, nursing, dementia, and respite care in luxury surroundings. “Our care home has been designed to be a hub of activity, with a host of communal spaces and social activities for residents, supported by highly trained team members committed to delivering true peace of mind to residents, relatives and their loved ones.” Carmela Magbitang, General Manager at Signature at Caversham said: “Signature at Caversham provides a warm, welcoming and luxury community which will offer industry-leading care, luxurious facilities and surroundings along with top-quality dining and nutrition. “We look forward to working in partnership with the communities we serve, both inside and outside of our home. We are also delighted to have partnered once more with Beard, who have meticulously supported us to realise our aspirations for excellence in this project.” Building, Design and Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
