Inspired Villages has submitted a planning application to Reigate and Banstead Borough Council to deliver a vibrant retirement community on the site of Legal & General House in Kingswood.
The plans will provide lifestyle-led accommodation for older people, whilst preserving and protecting the long-term future of the building which forms an integral part of the Kingswood community. The proposed development will enhance the community, offering on-site facilities such as a wellness centre, dining and recreation facilities. These will be open for the wider public to enjoy.
Over the last six months, Inspired Villages has been consulting with the Kingswood community. They have met with local groups such as the Kingswood Residents Association (KRA) and presented to meetings of residents. They have held open evenings for neighbours at Kingswood House and in May, over 250 residents attended a public consultation event, which included a public exhibition, seminar programme and site tours.
Jamie Bunce, CEO of Inspired Villages, said:
“We would like to thank everyone who has attended events and provided ideas and thoughts for the development. The feedback we have received has been overwhelmingly supportive and has informed the evolution of our plans. Now that we have submitted a planning application, we look forward to continuing our dialogue with local residents, Councillors, the Kingswood Residents’ Association and other community groups.
“The opportunity here at Kingswood is to do something very special indeed. It’s a truly magnificent building located in an amazing setting. We want to bring this fantastic building back to life.”
If approved, Inspired hope to start work in Autumn 2020. The scheme will provide:
• 270 assisted living apartments (retirement homes);
• 10 Respite/Rehabilitation Suites;
• On-site Wellness Centre including pools, studio, gymnasium and tennis courts; open to the wider Kingswood community through club membership;
• A ladies’ hairdresser and beauty salon, a gentleman’s barber shop and small business centre for the working retiree, all located on the lower ground floor and open to locals;
• Significant investment in the visual appearance of the existing buildings and improvements to the landscape;
Protect the green spaces with the site and extend public access;
• Green and sustainable transport – with an on-demand shuttle service to local destinations; and
• Improved security throughout the site.
Inspired Villages specialises in creating unique communities which encourage social, physical and mental activation, where residents can benefit from their own front door, enjoy the communal areas to socialise and have easy access to the facilities they need on a daily basis. As with Inspired Villages’ other retirement communities across the UK, the proposed development in Kingswood will be open for local people, enabling new and existing residents to interact, engendering a real sense of community.
More information about the proposals is available at www.inspired-kingswood.co.uk.
