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Bracknell Forest Homes has submitted plans for 65 apartments on the former Garth Hill School site
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Old Garth Hill College Site could become retirement village

By Becky Barnes
March 13, 2013

A derelict former secondary school site could soon be home to the borough’s first retirement village.

Bracknell Forest Homes (BFH) submitted plans to demolish the former Garth Hill College site, in Sandy Lane, and create 65 apartments, to be known as Clement House.

The proposed development features a spacious atrium, hobby rooms, IT suite, library, hairdressing salon, restaurant and mix of one and two-bedroom apartments.

If Bracknell Forest Council gives the plans the green light, 14 of apartments will be up for sale, while the others will be available to rent.

Linda Wells, BFH’s housing and community services director, said: “Subject to planning, Clement House will be the first of its type in Bracknell and is an exciting development designed to be a high-quality, modern home for older people of the borough.

“The new scheme will allow residents to live independently with access to care and support tailored to individual requirements.

“This development is an important part of the strategies of Bracknell Forest Homes and the council to meet the local housing, care and support needs of older people in Bracknell.”

Bracknell Forest Council will provide £2 million towards the cost of the development, plus funding for BFH to purchase homes from older people who want to buy one of the 14 new apartments for sale.

This will allow retired people to downsize to more manageable accommodation.

If the scheme is given the go-ahead, BFH anticipates it will be completed in early 2015.

Bracknell Town Council voiced concerns about the size and ‘bulk’ of the proposed building, and councillors suggested the structure should be limited to four storeys.

To comment on the plans visit www.bracknell-forest.gov.uk.

For further information call Julie Rose, supportive housing manager at Bracknell Forest Homes, on (01344) 382 910.

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Most recent user comments 4 of 4

Brilliant idea. My uncle lives in a newly built modern 'extra care' flat near Uxbridge. He loves it and is able to live independently in nice surroundings, while having the support he needs.

More like this need to be built to allow older people to feel safe move from their homes. Many older people would rather stay put in their too large homes because what they are offfered in return for leaivng is awful. This is definately the way forward. Well done BFH!

Time4tea
13/03/2013 at 17:55

A good use of the land and as stated would possibly free up larger properties to be utilised. I'm not sure of the need for two bedroomed flats as these are not really starter homes nor whether a community of this size could support the likes of a hairdresser, etc.

The mention of a restaurant though could be the solution to the future of the Look In Cafe as well as bringing in extra custom that would enable the other ancillary rooms to be viable.

timespassing
13/03/2013 at 15:46

Pretty sure the old school has already been demolished.

Beef, Bracknell
13/03/2013 at 15:07

What a great use for the land - well done BFH. And if its Bracknell Forest Homes residents who move in that will free up homes for people on the waiting list - so eveyone wins