New retirement apartments planned for Poole

The UK’s market leader in retirement living, McCarthy & Stone, has this month announced the company’s purchase of the St. Joseph’s Convent site in Poole and its plans to build an Assisted Living development exclusively for the over-70s.

The site, which is located on the corner of Parkstone Road and Churchfield Road opposite Poole Park, extends 1.14 acres. Contracts with the developer were exchanged last month and completion is set to take place in June 2010.

Currently, the land has planning consent for 52 units and McCarthy & Stone is preparing to submit proposals for 50 Assisted Living retirement apartments later in 2010.

Shane Paull, land director for McCarthy & Stone South West, comments: “The purchase of such a prominent site is incredibly positive. There is a significant shortage of specialised retirement accommodation in the UK. In 2004, we estimated that there would be a shortfall of 62,500 properties by 2020, but with the recent downturn in the housing market and the knock on effect on housing production, the situation is potentially now much worse so we’re delighted to be returning to the land buying market.

“While there are a number of independent Retirement Living developments already in the town, the proposed Assisted Living development will be the first of its kind within the borough and will increase the options for continued home ownership for those people in later life.”

As standard, McCarthy & Stone’s Retirement Living schemes offer independence combined with the peace of mind of additional security, low maintenance and companionship. However, the proposed Assisted Living development will extend this offering further with an additional range of facilities such as a waitress service restaurant and flexible support services including personal care and domestic assistance.

Furthermore, the proposed apartments will enjoy uninterrupted views over Poole Park, Sandbanks and distant views of Poole Harbour and Poole Bay and is located just 500m from the Dolphin Shopping Centre and the main high street.

McCarthy & Stone is actively looking to increase its number of developments by purchasing 60 new sites across mainland UK over the next 12 months. Twelve of these will be in the South West of England and South Wales.