The site of a former school in Bristol is set to be turned into a development of sustainable homes for older people after being bought up for an undisclosed sum.
Investment firm FORE Partnership and care operator Amicala acquired the five-acre site in Westbury Park from Aurora.
The site is on the grounds of the former St Christopher’s School, which closed last year, and includes around 93,000 sq ft of existing buildings, including the Grade-II listed Grace House.
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The scheme could see an investment in the project of up to £80m and will involve refurbishment of the existing buildings as well as new development.
The project is being devised with a view to making it one of the few extra care communities in the country to operate with net-zero carbon emissions.
Extra care communities are different to traditional retirement housing in both scale and the services provided. The model enables older people to remain relatively independent and move into the community, with a minimum baseline of care which can then be increased as they age.
According to retirement community trade body ARCO, fewer than 1% of over-65s in the 海角视频 live in extra care communities.
Basil Demeroutis, managing partner at FORE, said: “With Amicala, we have a real alignment of values, sharing a commitment to sustainability and social impact, and see huge potential in this partnership to create communities that produce positive outcomes for their residents in terms of health, wellbeing, and quality of life, while also being good for their local community and the planet.”
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The firms behind the development said the scheme would provide local jobs through the construction process and the ongoing operation of the extra care community.
As well as addressing a shortage in extra care housing, the developers said they are aiming to boost the local economy with on-site food production in partnership with social enterprises.
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Amicala chief executive Paul Spence said the need for high-quality extra care communities had "never been greater".
He said: “With an ageing population, now is the time to create exciting, attractive and sustainable communities that deliver for seniors that support ageing in place.
“Together with FORE Partnership, we will deliver communities that are designed to meet the expectations of the new generation of retirees, reflecting the values that we share with them.”
Developer First Base, which is behind the recently approved regeneration of Bristol's former Soapworks building, will manage the project. The appointment of a design team and engagement with local residents, businesses, and stakeholders will begin shortly.
Lucinda Mitchell, director at First Base, added: “St Christopher’s has a rich history in Bristol and we very much look forward to engaging with local residents, businesses, Bristol City Council and key stakeholders over the coming months as we start to formulate the future plans."