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A French-owned developer has announced plans to build more than 5,000 retirement homes on 40 sites in urban centres across the UK.
Retirement Villages Group (RVG) recently unveiled the £2bn programme, which will see the sites developed over the next decade.
RVG, which is owned by France-based investment management firm AXA IM Alts, said it is responding to growing demand among people over 65 for high-quality retirement accommodation close to town and city centres.
Retirement developments are currently built mainly in rural or suburban areas.
The schemes will include shared public amenities such as landscaped open spaces, restaurants, gyms and libraries, as well as on-demand support and care services.
They will be designed, built and operated in line with RVG’s target of reaching net zero carbon by 2030.
This new announcement follows two recent landmark planning approvals for RVG.
The builder was given the go-ahead on a £110m development, which would see 196 flats built on the site of former commercial offices in Central West Byfleet, Surrey.
It obtained planning approval in Chester for a £65m development made up of 147 retirement homes.
Will Bax, chief executive of RVG, said: “New generations of older people prize independence, security and community connections more than any other.
“The current options for people looking to downsize are not good enough. We want to change that by putting older people back at the heart of our communities.
“Our target locations focus on well-connected sites in or on the edge of existing town and city centres, enabling people to remain close to families, friends and their existing communities.”
Justin Travlos, chair of RVG, said: “At AXA IM Alts we are committed to making investments that can create positive, measurable and sustainable impacts on society.
“Society needs to develop better alternatives than just care homes and by investing in a new concept we believe we can break the mould in terms of what older people can aspire to.
“In doing so, we are also providing investment that can facilitate the sustainable regeneration of urban centres and provide jobs.”
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