Highwood’s plans for Stoneham Care Village win ‘overwhelming’ backing

Highwood has achieved ‘overwhelming’ support for its Continuing Care Retirement Community (CCRC) scheme at the Park. In a meeting of Test Valley Borough Council’s (TVBC) Southern area planning committee, the state-of-the-art care home and specialist accommodation for the elderly was recognised by members for providing a ‘real need’ for this type of development.

Plans for the care village were submitted on behalf of Highwood and leading care partner, Cinnamon Retirement Living. The process was not without its challenges that included the land involved being subject to approval by two authorities; Eastleigh Borough Council and TVBC. Eastleigh Local Area Committee’s (ELAC) consent for the new care village was granted unanimously during a planning meeting earlier in June.

Highwood’s Planning Manager, Jon Bray, pointed to the growing demand for such schemes and the wider benefits for the community that offered such considerable appeal to planners.

‘In line with the national trend, the population within Eastleigh and Test Valley is ageing,’ he explained. ‘Meeting the demand for care provision of the nature and quality of the Stoneham Care Village is critical and will undoubtedly contribute to meeting the full range of local housing needs into the future.

The key final element in the Park’s community

‘This is the key final element in the Park’s community that will now cater for the very young, who will be accommodated in the local centre’s new nursery and school facilities, to the elderly. The development will also deliver a raft of social, economic and environmental benefits – as well as enhancing the neglected former Coach House and Listed wall areas, a fabulous new woodland walk and arboretum will be established as part of an extensive landscaping strategy.

‘The local economy will also benefit through increased local spend from the Park’s growing community and, of course, the creation of some 140 jobs that will come as a welcome boost for the area.’

Life-changing benefits for the elderly and the wider community

Paul Jackson, Director of Sales, Marketing and Development at Cinnamon Retirement Living, was also quick to highlight the benefits of high-quality care provision.

‘The difficulties older people are experiencing due to the COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the clear benefit of living in a specialised retirement community’. ‘These communities have come into their own in recent months thanks to the care and support that’s already in place for those who are self-isolating. From meals being provided to regular courtesy calls and contact with the on-site support team, we’re helping to reduce the potential exposure to infection and feelings of isolation.

‘Another important factor is that this retirement development isn’t a gated community – it will very much be part of the wider community. Our residents love to integrate with outside groups so, as operators, we give them the space and support they need to develop their interests and make an active contribution to the communities they live in. These represent lifechanging benefits for our elderly residents and Stoneham Care Village is undoubtedly well-placed to support them to do this.’

Following the success of Highwood’s care home planning application, construction is expected to begin at the Park later this summer.