London housebuilder reveals plans for £40m retirement village by River Thames

A London housebuilder is set to enter the retirement housing market with a £40m village by the River Thames.

Galliard Homes has announced plans to develop retirement villages in outer London and across Southern England, with the first planned for Lower Shiplake by the River Thames.

The company is partnering with retirement living specialist Probitas Developments and developer O’Shea to create the new village.

The new £40m retirement village will create 65 homes, designed by architectural practice Nick Baker Architects.

Stephen Conway, executive chairman of Galliard Homes says: “Galliard is delighted to have partnered with Probitas Developments, a retirement specialist, and O’Shea, a leading developer and contractor, in order to expand into the later living marketplace.

“Our partnership aims to help solve the significant undersupply of purpose-built premium retirement accommodation in the UK, with just 1 per cent of the UK’s population living in designated retirement villages, compared to 17 per cent of Americans and 13 per cent of Australians.

“By 2050 the UK retirement population is set to double and there needs to be new custom-designed housing with services to meet this demand.”

Scott Curran, director at Probitas Developments, said: “Probitas Developments is delighted to be working with Galliard Homes who bring a wealth of residential experience to this rapidly expanding property sector.

“Together with our delivery partner, O’Shea, we aim to bring a fresh approach to one of the fastest growing property sectors in the UK.

“Retirement living is about providing the best property environment and services to people in later life, and core to our joint business values, is that we believe that if this is potentially someone’s last property purchase, then it should be their best.”