First look at 40-home retirement village plan...

It would have 40 bungalows



Plans have been submitted for a new retirement village in Thurlaston, near Rugby.

Paperwork highlighting the plans states there will be 40 bungalows built, each with modern designs.

It would be located on land to the rear of Thurlaston Meadows Care Home, which already stands in the village.

The complex would also offer facilities such as a community hall, hydro pool, tennis courts and allotment gardens.

All bungalows would have a paved terrace to the rear and there would be paths installed for easy access.

They will also each have two bedrooms, and allow for a car.

The plans read: "The proposed bungalows are all two bedroom, to allow for a carer if needed. Ample turning space has been allowed for future wheelchair user turning circle, if required. All units will be detail designed to be fully accessible.

"They will also be designed to lifetime homes standards, with capability for direct bathroom access from bedrooms and future hoist installation.

"The concept design assumed buildings to be spacious, with good quality day lighting. The building fabric is to be targeting above building regulation requirements, in order to minimise energy consumption. Rear gardens to have a small private terrace, with a larger semi private open space.

"The open space to be maintained as part of the overall site management, which removes the need for garden sheds. The plot ‘boundaries’ are to be created with landscaping features, such as trees and planting zones."

Typical modern design; no garden shed, no garage, no loft space, nowhere to store things. No provision for visiting children and grandchildren and not much privacy.

The extra-height living room is a nice feature though:

I agree Dutchman no thoulght for those things you listed even visitor parking is not enough with these new builds even here in Coventry especially where permit parking is concerned when events are on.

Lol with trees landscaping in the autumn their homes will be filled with fallen foliage being blown in to the home when any door is opened like mine.

From experience, the extra height might well add to the heating bills.

All things being equal that's true but we're told these bungalows have an unusually high level of insulation.

Retirees spend far longer in their living rooms than people of working age so claustrophia is a factor and high ceilings could be a help there. High ceilings also help with cooling in summer, especially if a ceiling fan is fitted.

I still get the feeling these are something a relatively young architect would prefer to live in rather than the elderly person they are supposedly intended for.