UK: Inspired Villages, a later-living property operator, has announced its plan to open a retirement community in Sonning Common.
Inspired Villages, which was established by L&G, received planning permission to open the facility with 133 homes aimed at age-appropriate housing for retired individuals.
Chief executive of later living at Legal & General and chairman of Inspired Villages, Phil Bayliss, said: “As we have seen over the past 15 months, isolation and loneliness has become one of the most common issues faced by over 65s in the UK. Within the later living sector, we are seeing increased demand for appropriate housing that meets the needs of retirees both physically and mentally. As lockdown starts to lift, it’s a pivotal time for retirees reconsidering how they’d like to spend what can be the best years of their lives and this latest planning permission is a welcomed step forward in our ability to accelerate the growth of a new generation of purpose-built housing, bringing them to communities across the UK.”
The complex will have a variety of amenities and communal facilities for its residents, such as a hairdresser, a library, a cinema, and craft rooms. The wellness centre in the complex will include a steam room, a sauna, a swimming pool, two treatment rooms, and a gym. Dining options will include a restaurant and a cafe.
This project, which will cost an estimated £ 100 million, will create 100 construction jobs and more than 40 operational jobs once it is complete, stimulating the local economy.
The Sonning Common property is Inspired Village’s thirteenth property, as it currently operates seven properties, with the remaining six in some form of development. The company has ambitions to expand to over 50 properties across the UK in the next decade.
Development director for Inspired Villages, Neal Dale, said: “Achieving planning permission for our Sonning Common community is a huge win for us and an important step in our portfolio expansion, allowing us to provide suitable housing for over 65s in the South Oxfordshire area. We know the demand for age-appropriate homes is there and receiving the green light from the Planning Inspectorate allows us to continue to support the physical and mental wellbeing of older people across the UK. I would like to thank everyone who has been involved in this process and supported us.”
