FAQs

We are the UK’s leading developer and manager of retirement communities with more than 40 years’ experience of providing high-quality homes to exacting specifications. We have delivered over 58,000 homes in the UK, across more than 1,300 developments and is renowned for its focus on the needs of those in later life.

Luxurious, spacious and low maintenance private apartments in great locations close to local amenities and transport links, exclusive to the over the 60’s. The development will benefit from a roomy communal area which will allow residents to form links and relationships with others in the development and help combat loneliness.  The developments will also benefit from an onsite manager who has responsibility for the maintenance of the development. Features of our typical Retirement Living offering includes:

• Outstanding contemporary properties filled with natural light and packed with high specification fixtures and fittings
• Attractive sustainable and well-located sites ranging from rural or coastal retreats to buzzing city centres or bustling market towns
• Access to a communal lounge and large attractive gardens
• Most of our apartments offer private outdoor space/balconies
• Safety and security features such as door camera entry, fire-detection system, and 24-hour emergency call-out system
• We take care of the gardening and maintain the exterior and shared areas
• A friendly manager onsite to keep everything running smoothly
• Guest suite for when family and friends visit
• Internal bin stores and mobility storage.

The development will be comprised of 34 units (a mix of 17 one-bed and 17 two-bed properties).

At present, McCarthy & Stone developments are typically sold as leasehold. However, we will be exploring opportunities for shared ownership or rent to help make homeownership more flexible.

The development will provide 32 parking spaces which is 6 more than our standard provision and will be more than sufficient for the site. McCarthy & Stone conducts extensive research across all its developments to calculate appropriate parking provisions.

Based on this research, the average age of one of our homeowners at the time of purchase is 79. The following list shows the percentage of residents who own cars in each of the age groups from 60 to 100, shown in 5-year bands:

• 00% of residents in the 60-64 age group own a car
• 89% of residents in the 65-69 age group own a car
• 91% of residents in the 70-74 age group own a car
• 42% of residents in the 75-79 age group own a car
• 70% of residents in the 80-84 age group own a car
• 67% of residents in the 85-89 age group own a car
• 08% of residents in the 90-94 age group own a car
• 0% of residents in the 95-100 age group own a car

Furthermore, research has shown that once residents move into their new development a proportion will relinquish car ownership within the first 2 years.

The site is approximately 5270 square metres or 1.3 acres

The building footprint is approximately 1220 square meters and so covers less than a quarter of the site.

The building is 3 storeys high, typically 8.5m, though the top floor has a smaller footprint than the lower two storeys.

The site is predominantly in zone 1 and partly in zone 2, with the building itself located in the lower risk area. As such, a flood risk assessment will be conducted for planning.

A drainage strategy for the site, taking account of the flood risk, the adjacent drainage ditch and river will be submitted as part of a planning application. This is likely to include on-site storage of rainwater which will attenuate run-off from the site.

The profile of residents who purchase our Retirement Living homes are those who are still independent and mobile. Although there are reduced safety concerns compared to residents who occupy our Retirement Living PLUS (Extra Care) homes, our Retirement Living offering includes high-quality safety systems in place for residents which include:

• Door camera entry
• Fire-detection systems
• 24-hour emergency-call out system
• Onsite manager during standard working hours
• Intruder alarms to accessible doors and windows

Population projections by Milton Keynes Council show that between 2015 – 2026, there will be a 44.1% increase in the population of people aged 65 – 79, and a further 66.9% increase in people aged 80+. The Council’s Strategic Housing Market Assessment (2017) recommends that approximately 1,200 additional specialist housing units would be required to help meet the varied needs of the ageing population in Milton Keynes.

Yes, McCarthy & Stone employs a professionally qualified Landscape Architect and prides itself on the quality of its landscape treatment, which has become a “hallmark” of their retirement schemes. A landscaping scheme will be provided as part of the proposed application which as well as providing a suitable form of amenity will also provide a suitable green setting for the building in its semi-rural location. McCarthy & Stone will continue to maintain the landscaped areas once the development has been completed.

As we are in the early stages of our proposals, the costing of units is still being calculated.