Residents in Walton-on-Thames are being invited to a consultation on plans to redevelop the Homebase site on New Zealand Avenue as a unique later living community.
Guild Living, Legal & General’s new later living company, is presenting plans for an innovative new retirement community. The company, which will develop and operate the new community, wants to help older people live better lives by maximising their independence and wellbeing. It will do that by being centrally located and meeting local needs by offering high-quality care and wellness facilities, alongside specially designed housing.
Guild Living is holding events in the town and inviting residents to offer feedback on its proposals, which could include approximately 218 retirement living apartments, a wellness centre (incl. therapy and treatment rooms), restaurant, café/bar, gym, library, craft room, significant public realm improvements, and vehicle and cycle parking. The consultation will be held over three days:
• Monday, 10th February, 12-4pm – St Andrew’s Church Hall, Hersham Road, KT12 1LG
• Wednesday, 12th February, 4-8pm – Riverhouse Barn, Manor Road, KT12 2PF
• Saturday, 15th February, 12-4pm – St Mary’s Church Hall, 36 Church St, KT12 2QS
Eugene Marchese, Founder and Director at Guild Living, said:
“We’re aiming to help older people live better lives by dealing with fundamental challenges around loneliness and disenfranchisement. We believe that by investing in the town centre, we can create an exciting scheme that is integrated within the local community and drives up footfall and spending in the area.
“As both developer and operator, we want to play a long-term role in the community and we are delighted to be able to listen to local views and the many great ideas people will have about our plans.
“The whole ethos of our development is that it will be open and will not be a gated community. Everyone wants their town centre to be a thriving community hub which we support and want to complement. Through
investing significantly in new facilities and public realm, we think there could be many benefits for local residents and traders. We are committed to ensuring that our proposals are developed with the input of the local community and we are looking forward to hearing from those living in the area. We want to deliver something truly special for Walton that will have a positive long-term impact and add to the local area.”
More information is available on the project website: www.guildlivingwaltononthames.co.uk. You can contact the project team by email at hello@guildlivingwaltononthames.co.uk or by telephone at 0800 038 5850.
