PRP are delighted to announce that they have received planning permission to extend Avonpark, an existing retirement village set in 15 acres of established Green Belt grounds located in Wiltshire near Bath. PRP were appointed by Retirement Village Group (RVG) to design new communal facilities and 71 additional retirement apartments which will revitalise the existing village making it sustainable for current and future generations. The design reconnects the new communal and well-being facilities to the unique landscaped setting, celebrating the vistas and providing a sensational place to live.
Designed alongside workshops with existing residents, the place making and redevelopment of the current buildings at Avonpark is centred around creating a contemporary, sustainable, open and intergenerational environment. The new retirement dwellings within the existing village provides a unique opportunity to redevelop the site with benefits to both the existing and future residents by inclusion of new communal amenities. The development will become an environment where older people can retain their independence and remain active in their later years.
The new apartments are designed with the requirements of older people in mind, will create environments which will assist those with a range of impairments including mobility, hearing, visual and cognitive impairments. The new amenities embrace RVG’s holistic view of well-being that recognises the importance of physical, emotional and mental health.
The design focus for the gardens and external spaces is to celebrate the uniqueness of the existing site from its lawns with extensive views to the rustic quarry wall that forms the backbone to the village. An abundance of places where people can sit, relax and socialise in the grounds are complemented with active spaces, strong connectivity between gardens and dwellings, sheltered thresholds at entrances and improved walking routes around the village.
With sustainability and landscape at the heart of the scheme, every effort has been taken steps will be taken to protect and enhance the existing ecology and mitigate for loss when demolishing unused structures. New habitats will be delivered within the site including neutral grassland, native tree planting, a variety of gardens comprising ornamental/edible species, hedgerow planting and a new orchard/nuttery area, these combined boost the BNG by over 30%. Faunal enhancements such as bird boxes, a bat habitat tower and reptile/hedgehog hibernacula are also to be provided.
Simon Atkins, Director at PRP, said:
“PRP’s Later Living group are delighted to receive the planning committees support for this project. While the site is heavily constrained by its steep topography, proximity to trees and quarry works, the location offers outstanding potential for a truly unique retirement community providing views over the beautiful Cotswolds AONB. Members of the existing RVG community have been instrumental in shaping the proposals on this uncommon & complex site, and the decision enables the required stability and prosperity of the village for existing and new residents alike.”