Isle of Wight, where nearly a third are pensioners, gets over 100 new extra care homes

The Isle of Wight, where pensioners are predicted to make up a third of the population by 2026, which is more than Japan - famous for its ageing population, now has a new care village with 102 extra care apartments and bungalows.

The £18m care village in Ryde is the first of its kind in the Isle of Wight and consists of 63 one-bedroom and 12 two-bedroom-apartments in a facility that also contains communal social spaces and additional care facilities.

The 27 two-bedroom-bungalows sit next to the main apartment block and are available on a shared ownership basis.

Cabinet member for regeneration and business development Councillor Wayne Whittle said: "Ryde Village is a huge contribution to making the council's Independent Living Strategy a reality and significantly improving the housing offer for older and more vulnerable members of our community. Ryde Village is giving Island people looking to move another, better option."

Laurence Basturkmen, director at Morgan Sindall Later Living, which will run the residential scheme, added: “The ageing population is a pressing issue across the country, but particularly so on the Isle of Wight. These high-quality apartments and bungalows at Ryde Village provide residents and their families with the peace of mind of independent living, where care and help are available if required.”

Ryde Village is supported by IWC’s extra care strategy, following the identification of an increasing demand for at least 700 new extra care homes due to the island’s increasingly ageing population. The development will provide more choice for older people, enabling them to live more independently for longer.

The 9,000 sqm Ryde Village, was delivered in partnership with Isle of Wight Council (IWC), Homes England, Funding Affordable Homes and Southern Housing Group, one of the largest housing associations on the island.

Paul Munday, fund manager at Funding Affordable Homes said: “This development facilitates the delivery of extra care and supported living for older people and vulnerable adults, providing significant social benefit by offering greater independence and dignity than institutional care. We are delighted to have provided the funding for the project and to be working in partnership with Southern Housing Group, Morgan Sindall and the Isle of Wight Council.”