Homes plan at Poundbury's Royal Square (From Thisisdorset)
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Homes plan at Poundbury's Royal Square
3:00pm Saturday 21st July 2012 in News By Harry Hogger
MAKING PLANS: An artist’s impression of how McCarthy and Stone retirement development at Poundbury may look, subject to planning approval
A PROPOSED development at Poundbury ’s showpiece square will provide dozens of assisted living apartments for over 70s.
Developer McCarthy and Stone has agreed to buy land by Queen Mother Square at Prince Charles’ model development to create a 62 purpose built homes.
The firm claims it will be the first block of its kind in the district and will enable elderly residents to live independently with all the facilities they require.
After reaching an agreement with the Duchy of Cornwall to buy the land for the development, regional land director for McCarthy and Stone Shane Paull said: “The purchase of such a prominent site is an exciting opportunity to provide a unique housing solution for the over 70s.
“The proposed assisted living development will be the first of its kind in West Dorset. It will increase the options for continued home ownership in later life in a location that supports our own principle of creating communities.”
The developers have released artist’s impressions of how the building, known as Bowes Lyon Court, could look as they prepare a planning application for the scheme and, if they receive approval, hope to have it completed next year.
The development will include 25,000 square feet of communal areas including a shared lounge and landscaped atriums and there will be staff on site 24 hours a day.
Residents will have access to a waitress service restaurant, domestic assistance and personal care tailored to meet their needs.
The Duchy of Cornwall’s Simon Conibear welcomed the proposals put forward as plans for Queen Mother Square move ahead at a pace.
He said: “McCarthy and Stone are very welcome as a new developer at Poundbury .
“Bowes Lyon Court designed by Working Group Architects is one of a number of important buildings which will define the centre of Poundbury.
“It is very close to Queen Mother Square where Quinlan Terry and Leon Krier are progressing the designs for the east and north buildings. We hope that Queen Mother Square will be completed within three years, including the erection of the statue of HM Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother, on a Portland stone plinth.”
For more information about the proposals contact McCarthy and Stone on 0800 919132.
Comments(8)
Is it me or is everything rubbish?
says...
6:59pm Sat 21 Jul 12
If it was unique, then perhaps. However, there are a large number of developments offering this type of service.
They are the experts so I will bow to their better judgement.
Dorset Boy
says...
7:17pm Sat 21 Jul 12
Is it me or is everything rubbish? wrote:One thing to be sure of, local over 70's won't be able to afford to live there. It will be yet more city in-comers that will no doubt complain about the countryside noises.
We will all get old, so demand for elderly care will never cease but I find it hard to believe that there is sufficient numbers of elderly people with enough money available to fill this type of high end care facility. For the type of services on offer, it will be hugely expensive to buy with significant on going costs. If it was unique, then perhaps. However, there are a large number of developments offering this type of service. They are the experts so I will bow to their better judgement.
iampuzzled
says...
9:53pm Sat 21 Jul 12
I thought that Poundbury originally was supposed to be a village - it is getting to look more like an inner city with this style of building.
Get a grip
says...
10:33pm Sat 21 Jul 12
unexpected error
says...
11:24pm Sun 22 Jul 12
iampuzzled wrote:Yes I have to agree, it's looking distinctively unattractive these days.
Nice to see lots of 'sitting out on the grass' for the old folks NOT.
I thought that Poundbury originally was supposed to be a village - it is getting to look more like an inner city with this style of building.
ThomasFairfax
says...
5:59am Mon 23 Jul 12
"Dozens of assisted living apartments for over 70s." may make an attractive soundbite for the developer, but where is the infrastructure to support the new residents, where are the facilities that "over 70's" require? 25,000 square feet of communal areas is really quite patronising and nothing more than lip service. Finally, who are the "over 70's" who will be able to afford these new 62 purpose built homes?
axzl32
says...
8:37am Mon 23 Jul 12
ksmain says...
5:26pm Sat 21 Jul 12
I can remember a few years ago when Poundbury was small and used to be attractive ......