Plans for ultra-sustainable later living community in Westbury Park
Ethical property investor FORE Partnership and extra care operator Amicala join have joined forces with leading developer First Base on plans for a new net zero extra care scheme on the former St Christopher’s School site.
The site will be the location for the first of a new generation of ultra-sustainable later living developments around the country, delivered by FORE Partnership and Amicala.
The partners have purchased the five-acre site former St Christopher’s School, which closed in 2020, from previous owner Aurora. The site comprises around 93,000 sq ft of existing buildings, including the Grade-II listed Grace House.
The scheme could see an investment in the local project of up to £80 million and will involve the sensitive and sustainable refurbishment of the existing buildings, including Grace House, as well as some new development.
The Bristol extra care community will be designed to achieve the highest standards in sustainability and will be net zero carbon in operation. The exemplar project will also be designed to deliver long-term social benefits to the local community and promote sustainable living and the circular economy, with a particular focus on on-site food production in partnership with local social enterprises, not only providing benefits in terms of the environment but also boosting the wellbeing of residents who will have access to the gardens. The project will provide local jobs through the construction process and through the ongoing operation of the extra care community.
The project will help address the shortage of extra care housing in the local area, supporting the whole of Bristol through the services and facilities provided. Within Bristol, the over 65s account for every one in seven people, while there are 9,100 people aged 85 or older. By 2043, Bristol Council predicts there will be a 40% increase over 75s in the city, which demonstrates the increasing demand for age-appropriate housing.
Extra care is a relatively new model of senior living in the UK that is very different to traditional retirement housing in both scale and the services provided. The model enables seniors to remain relatively independent and move into the community, with a minimum base line of care which can then be increased as they age, ultimately providing full wrap around care. According to trade body ARCO, in the UK just 0.6% of over 65s currently reside in extra care communities compared to 5% to 6% in Australia, New Zealand, and the US.
With an emphasis on wellbeing, community, and flexible care provision, extra care communities play a positive role in helping people lead healthier lives, reducing NHS pressures, lowering social care costs, and helping tackle the loneliness epidemic by boosting social connection. The communities also help strengthen the local housing market for all generations, as those who move into extra care facilities may sell their family homes, creating opportunities for families to up-size, which in turn boosts the availability of smaller homes for first-time buyers.
