Proposals announced for next Birmingham retirement village

The ExtraCare Charitable Trust and Birmingham City Council have announced proposals to develop a retirement village on a 5.8 acre site in Shaftmoor Lane, Acocks Green, as part of the partnership's five-village development programme for the city.

A detailed planning application is expected to be submitted by the end of August 2011 and the £43m Village could open as early as 2015.

Designed to offer local older people an independent future with care, activities and an inspirational community lifestyle, proposals show that the Village will provide 278 one and two-bedroom apartments which are available for affordable rent and purchase.

Homes will surround a community-based Village Centre with up to 18 health and leisure facilities which will be accessible to residents and local older people, their families and volunteers. Facilities will include a restaurant, gym, craft room, IT centre well-being suite, landscaped gardens, courtyards and an indoor winter garden.

A third of Village residents may have significant care needs which will be supported by a dedicated village staff team, in some cases extending to 24-hour care. In addition, the Village will deliver specialist dementia support whilst an award-winning Well-being Service will offer all residents preventative health advice to encourage independence and mobility in their later years.

During its development, the Village will provide up to 200 construction jobs, as well as over 30 care and support roles when it opens.

The Village forms part of a local masterplan to redevelop the former Lucas Works Factory site on Shaftmoor Lane. Set up by Shaftmoor Properties Limited Partnership (SPLP), proposals also include a new Morrisons supermarket and the development of 120 family homes. In total, the masterplan is expected to provide 400 jobs on the site.

Although scheduled to open from 2015, construction timescales for the new Village are subject to the re-location timetable of the existing site occupier, Aero Engine Controls, to an alternative Midlands location.

Councillor Lines, Birmingham City Council Cabinet Member for Housing, said: "I'm delighted to announce proposals for the fourth development in this suite of retirement villages, I'm sure it will become another success story for the city. It only seems like yesterday when I announced the first one, so to think that this village could be open to residents in a matter of years is phenomenal.

"Once built, the village will provide affordable housing, state-of-the-art facilities and excellent services that support older people in terms of independence, mobility and quality of life."

Nick Abbey, Chief Executive for The ExtraCare Charitable Trust, said: "This proposal demonstrates our Charity's ongoing commitment to develop at least five villages within the City. We know there is a significant demand for good quality, affordable homes where older people can cherish their independence in a community setting, enjoy activities and know that care is available if they need it. I believe the Shaftmoor Lane Village proposal will deliver these qualities, building on the success of our first Village in New Oscott which is now over-subscribed.

"We expect to announce plans for another Village later this year."