Community focused over 55s housing development officially opens its doors

Cambridge-based Saunders Boston Architects has utilised its experience in the retirement living sector with the design of a brand-new £4.8 million development for LACE Housing. The Burrows, located in Nettleham, Lincolnshire, has been designed exclusively for over 55s and will provide a total of 36 affordable, safe and secure homes for the local community.

The development is made up of 22 two-bedroom apartments and 14 two-bedroom bungalows which are designed to provide light, spacious and accessible accommodation. Each home contains fitted kitchens with built-in ovens and a wet-room comprising of a modern three-piece suite with double shower enclosure, wash hand basin and WC.

Darren Heffer, Director at Saunders Boston Architects, said: “Creating homes that have such a strong standing within the local community is extremely important to us, and it’s exciting that The Burrows is now officially open for use. We’ve thoroughly enjoyed following this project through from inception to opening and are looking forward to seeing the benefit that it holds within the Nettleham community.”

Construction of The Burrows began in July 2018, after the Nettleham Parish Plan revealed a growing need for affordable accommodation for older people in the area. The Burrows not only aims to create affordable homes for members of the local community, but also focuses on sustainability, through the use of PV panels, which will facilitate the economic delivery of the units.

Darren Heffer continued: “When designing a scheme such as this, attention to detail should never be sacrificed to enable a safe and secure space. When working on The Burrows, we wanted to ensure that every element was designed with the end user in mind. We’re thrilled that the development will allow residents to continue living in the community and the familiar surroundings as they get older.”

The Burrows is the second of two developments, designed by Saunders Boston Architects for LACE Housing. The first, Brighton Place, named in memory of former local Council Leader, Marion Brighton OBE, was completed in September 2019.

Saunders Boston Architects worked alongside local construction firm Lindum Construction to deliver the development. The scheme has been part-funded by Homes England through its Shared Ownership and Affordable Homes Programme, which aims to increase housing options for older people in England by March 2022.