Members of the public are being invited to find out more about redevelopment plans for the Homebase site on Pines Way in Bath, which could see it transformed into a retirement community.
The Homebase site on Pines Way could be converted into a retirement community © Bath Echo
Legal & General, through its later living business, acquired the Homebase site on Pines Way in 2018, with the intention of developing the land into a unique retirement community for the over 65s.
Once complete, the development will provide age-specific housing to meet the demands of the local area.
Local residents are being invited to offer feedback on the proposed scheme, which will provide lifestyle-led accommodation for older people, with flexible care available as and when required.
The consultation process is an opportunity for Legal & General to hear from the local community at this early stage of the planning process.
Legal & General’s later living business was established in August 2017 to help tackle the undersupply of age-specific housing in the UK.
The existing Legal & General later living communities are in rural and suburban locations, and the scheme in Bath will be their first later living scheme in an urban environment.
The scheme being proposed for the Homebase site will combine ‘beautiful architecture and interiors’ with wellness programmes to enable enriched and active lifestyles for its residents.
Residents at the proposed later living community will live independently, but within a safe, purpose-built environment with the assurance that there is 24-hour support available if when required.
If brought forward, the scheme has the potential to provide needed later-living housing for Bath, supporting the city’s growing older population (over 85s) which is expected to increase by 24% by 2021.
The proposed development will offer a unique approach to later-living, and will include a nursery bringing together older and younger members of the community.
The concept has been developed for Legal & General under the advisement of Professor Malcolm Johnson, who was instrumental in the recent Channel 4 documentary ‘Old People’s Home for 4 year olds’, which saw pre-school children share their classroom with pensioners.
Professor Johnson is currently Visiting Professor of Gerontology and End of Life Care at the University of Bath and has been Professor of Health and Social Policy at the University of Bristol (now Emeritus) since 1995. His work explores the benefits of young and old working and playing together.
A public exhibition on the proposals is to be held at The Guildhall, High Street, Bath, on Thursday 9th May between 2pm and 7pm.
Members of the public will be able to discuss the proposed scheme with the project team.
