A RETIREMENT community is set to transform a derelict site in Bingley which has been empty for a quarter of a century.

Based at the former Bingley Auction Mart site, the development will create 45 homes for private retirement living as well as 36 shared ownership and 23 affordable rent properties, both aimed at those in greatest need of supported housing with care.

The prominent site has been empty since 1995 with several plans failing to materialise, including one proposal for a supermarket store.

McCarthy & Stone, a leading developer and manager of retirement communities, and Anchor Hanover, England’s largest not-for-profit provider of specialist housing and care for people in later life, said the housing will recognise the need to support an ageing population. 

There is growing demand for retirement communities with 12.2 million people aged 65 or over currently living in the UK, rising to 17.4m by 2043 - a 43 per cent increase.

For those aged 85 or over, the increase will be larger, from 1.6m to 3.0m, representing an 87 per cent increase.

The announcement has been welcomed by the Housing Minister, coinciding with the United Nations’ International Day of Older Persons.

Housing Minister Rt Hon Christopher Pincher MP said: “Around one-third of children born in the United Kingdom today can expect to celebrate their hundredth birthday and housing will have an important role to play in ensuring healthy and independent living as our society ages.

“I look forward to seeing this partnership result in more high-quality, affordable retirement properties that are not just homes, but strong communities too.”

Research shows that 33 per cent of people aged 65 or over are interested in moving.

McCarthy & Stone, who currently own the Keighley Road site and had already started building, will act as turn-key developer to Anchor Hanover to deliver the apartments.

The partnership extends across four other sites in England - Hook, Hinckley, Standish and Macclesfield.

John Tonkiss, the chief executive of McCarthy & Stone said: “Now more than ever we need to better align adult social care policy with high-quality and ‘affordable for all’ retirement community solutions. This partnership is in addition to our current construction plans and forms part of our strategy to provide greater choice for customers, with different tenure options across the affordability spectrum. It marks an important step in our commitment to address this challenge while providing customers with greater choice and a more affordable product.”

While Jane Ashcroft CBE, Chief Executive of Anchor Hanover said: “The changing needs of our ageing society mean demand for specialist housing and care is strong and growing across all price points.

“We have ambitious plans to provide more homes where people love living in later life and to do so more quickly. We’re keen to work with a range of partners to meet that demand and support the government’s objective of more accessible housing for older people.”